Prosecutor Amando Ligutan said that witness Gina Acosta appeared comfortable answering questions in Filipino during Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial on Monday [1].
This observation comes as the prosecution scrutinizes the testimony of former Office of the Vice President (OVP) officials. The perceived ease of a witness during questioning can influence how the court views the credibility and spontaneity of the testimony provided.
Acosta, a former special disbursing officer for the OVP, was being questioned by the defense panel during the hearing [1]. Ligutan said the witness appeared at ease utilizing the Filipino language while responding to the lawyers representing the vice president [1].
The proceedings took place in the Philippine Senate hearing room [1]. The observation was made on day 17 [1] of the ongoing impeachment process, which has focused on the conduct and expenditures of the OVP.
Ligutan said the observation was notable as the trial progresses. The prosecution continues to examine the interactions between OVP staff and the legal teams involved in the defense [1].
While the defense panel sought to establish their narrative through Acosta's testimony, Ligutan's focus on the manner of her delivery suggests a strategy to challenge the nature of the witness's responses. The trial remains centered on whether the vice president committed impeachable offenses regarding the use of public funds [1].
“Amando Ligutan said that witness Gina Acosta appeared comfortable answering questions in Filipino.”
The prosecution's focus on the linguistic comfort and demeanor of witnesses suggests a tactical effort to question whether testimonies are rehearsed or natural. In high-stakes impeachment trials, the perceived authenticity of a witness's delivery can be as critical as the factual content of their answers when the Senate determines credibility.
