The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte is willing to wait for a certification from the Davao City Assessor’s Office to further establish the identity of a property declared in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), defense spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa said Monday.
Speaking at a press conference following the 40th day of Duterte’s impeachment trial on Nov. 9, Poa said the defense would welcome a certification from Davao City Assessor Engr. Jaime Adalin if it would help convince the senator-judges and the public regarding his testimony.
The statement came after questions were raised about Adalin’s apparent uncertainty during cross-examination over whether the property identified in the SALN was the same property reflected in the tax declaration and Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT).
Poa, however, declined to further discuss whether Adalin’s testimony had been categorical and conclusive, saying he did not want to delve into the merits of the case.
“For us, it was clear what the witness said,” Poa said, adding that Adalin appeared certain about the property referred to in the tax declaration, the TCT and Duterte’s SALN.
He said the witness had testified that the barangay indicated in the documents was the same as Matina Crossing.
“We presented this witness to answer that very question,” Poa said.
“If there’s a need for the witness to submit a certification just to convince the judges and everyone else watching, then we’ll wait for that certification,” he added.
Poa also rejected the idea of debating through the media whether Adalin had sufficiently established the property's identity, saying the matter should be assessed based on the official trial record.
