VP trial: Senator-judges flag Davao land assessor’s China trips

MANILA, Philippines – Senator-judges on Monday questioned defense witness Davao City Assessor Engr. Jaime Adalin’s trip to China along with other local government officials.

Adalin’s overseas travel came to light when, during the cross-examination, private prosecutor Benjamin Tolosa Jr. asked whether or not back in November 2025 Davao City LGU officials, had a supposed all-expense-paid trip to China on the money of the Chinese consulate.

Initially, Adalin stated he could not recall the dates of a trip to China, but during Senator-judge Raffy Tulfo’s interjection, the engineer confirmed the trip abroad on January 25, 2026.

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Senator-judge Risa Hontiveros then asked where in China the engineer went and with who.

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“Hindi ko ma-memorize pero kasama po namin department heads pati yung ibang gustong sumama,” Adalin answered.

(I can’t memorize it, but we have department heads and others who want to join us.)

READ: Defense witness’ answers in Sara Duterte trial irk Erwin Tulfo

Hontiveros asked further if the engineer went to Beijing, and Adalin replied: “Parang nakapunta po kami.”

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(It’s likely we went there.)

“Parang?” Hontiveros asked.

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(Likely?)

Adalin chuckled at this, irking the sentor-judge, who then said, “Sir, I’m sorry hindi po talaga nakakatawa, kasi hindi po kapani-paniwala na isang inhinyero, isang city assessor na diumano alam yung mga mapa na pinepresent ng defense at ng prosecution ay hindi po alam kung saan sa isang malaking bansa pumunta.”

(“Sir, I’m sorry, it’s not really funny, because it’s unbelievable that an engineer, a city assessor who supposedly knows the maps presented by the defense and the prosecution, doesn’t know where he went in a big country.”)

“Paano ka talaga nakadalaw ng ibang bansa at nakapunta sa higit sa isang lugar na hindi niyo maalala 10 months later. Binlind fold po kayo?” Hontriveros pressed.

(How did you manage to visit another country and go to more than one place that you don’t remember 10 months later? Were you blind-folded?)

According to Adalin he was joined by the Davao City engineer and treasurer to the trip earlier this year, but clarified that it was all under personal expense.

“I’m very sure na pumunta kami, pero on kung sino nag-facilitate, sino nag-guide hindi ko na po ma-recall. Pero I’m sure personal travel lang, your honor,” Adalin stated.

(“I’m very sure we went, but I can’t recall who facilitated or guided. But I’m sure it was just a personal trip, your honor.”)

READ: Davao land assessor: Carpio’s Matina property listed in Duterte’s SALN

Tulfo also pointed out an even earlier trip in November 2018. When asked for the travel agency, Adalin said he could not remember.

“Ayan ka na naman nagkakaroon ka ng amnesia. Of course you should know that. Sabi mo group kayo, syempre kung pera niyo yan alam niyo kung anong travel agency ninyo para makatipid,” Tulfo criticized.

(There you are again, having amnesia. Of course you should know that. You said you are a group, of course if it’s your money you know which travel agency you use to save money.)

Adalin then suggested that he could furnish the court with the necessary documents instead.

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To this, presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero directed the clerk of court to coordinate with Adalin in collecting the details asked by the senator-judges. /ms