An impeachment court has administered an oath to Marivic M. Pareja, who will testify as a prosecution witness in the trial of Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte.
The testimony is critical because Pareja manages the official repository of House documents. Her evidence may determine the authenticity and transmission of records central to the impeachment charges.
During the proceedings, the court directed the clerk of court to administer the oath to Pareja. The defense team agreed to stipulate her as a witness for the prosecution, streamlining the process for her to provide testimony [1].
Pareja serves as the director of the Legislative Archives and Museum Management Service of the House of Representatives. She has held this position for eight years [1].
Attorney Suan, representing the prosecution, sought Pareja's testimony to clarify the handling of House records. Because the Archives serves as the official repository for House documents and transmissions, Pareja is positioned as a key witness regarding the paper trail of the case [1].
The court's decision to move forward with the oath ensures that the prosecution can formally introduce archival evidence. The defense's agreement to stipulate the witness suggests a focus on the content of the records rather than the qualification of the witness herself [1].
“The defense agreed to stipulate her as a prosecution witness.”
The acceptance of Marivic M. Pareja as a stipulated witness reduces the likelihood of lengthy evidentiary challenges regarding the provenance of House documents. By focusing on the official custodian of the Legislative Archives, the court is prioritizing the factual record of document transmissions, which often serve as the backbone of impeachment proceedings involving administrative or financial misconduct.
