Defense witness in Sara Duterte trial grilled on 'all-expense-trip' to China

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The first witness presented by the defense was questioned on Monday by the prosecution and some senator-judges about his supposed all-expenses-paid trip to China last year.

During the cross-examination, private prosecutor Benjamin Tolosa Jr. asked Davao City assessor Engineer Jaime Adalin if it was true that he was among the Davao City local government officials who went to China in November 2025 on an all-expenses-paid tour sponsored by the Chinese consulate.

Defense counsel Lindon Bacquel objected to the question, citing relevance.

Tolosa said the prosecution simply wanted to check the witness’ credibility if he would admit to the matter or not.

“I think that is irrelevant,” Adalin said, drawing laughter from the audience in the session hall.

Senate impeachment court presiding officer Francis Escudero also reacted and said, “Funny ka do’n ha (That was funny), Engineer Jimmy.”

Adalin said that he could not recall the date of the trip.

“You cannot recall, sir? If in November 2025, you went to China? Last year? You cannot recall that?” Tolosa asked.

“Your Honor, this is a probing question. I think it’s been clear how evasive this witness has been,” he added.

Bacquel moved to strike Tolosa’s “evasive” remark off the record, but Escudero let it remain.

Senator-Judge Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, meanwhile, expressed belief that the question is vital to gauge the credibility of the witness.

“If he doesn’t want to answer, we can always ask the Bureau of Immigration. Simple…then the credibility is proven,” Sotto added.

Escudero then asked Adalin if he could remember traveling to China around November last year.

“Siguro? Again, I don’t have the record. Hindi mo naman memorize ‘yung mga lakad mo ‘no,” the witness answered.

(Maybe? Again, I don’t have the record. You don’t exactly memorize all your travels, right?)

Senator-Judge Erwin Tulfo interjected, saying the witness was seemingly fooling around. Tulfo reminded him that he could be cited for contempt for what he is doing.

“Mr. Presiding Officer, para ho tayong niloloko ng testigo na ito. Sir, may I remind you that you're under oath. ‘Yung ginagawa ho ninyong, ginagawa niyong kengkoy ang inyong testimonya, bawal po ‘yan. We can cite you for contempt,” the senator-judge said.

(Mr. Presiding Officer, it feels as though this witness is making us look like fools. Sir, may I remind you that you are under oath. You are turning your testimony into a joke. That is not permitted. We can cite you for contempt.)

“We're serious here. Tinatanong ho kayo, nakapunta ba kayo? Ayaw niyong sabihin. ‘Yung petsa, hindi niyo rin malaman. Kung talagang hindi niyo alam, eh hindi niyo alam. Mr. Presiding Officer, just remind this witness na under oath po siya. ‘Yung pagsisinungaling po eh nasa kanya ho ‘yun, may consequences po ‘yan,” he added. –NB, GMA News