Escudero offers Abante to ‘rest somewhere else’ after dozing at trial

MANILA, Philippines — Senate Impeachment Court Presiding Officer Francis Escudero has offered Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. to “rest somewhere else” after the latter was caught dozing while a witness was being examined during the impeachment trial.

During the resumption of the trial on Monday, Escudero asked public prosecutor Iloilo Rep. Lorenz Defensor and prosecution spokesperson former Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers to “kindly nudge” Abante as he may want to rest “but at least not behind the witness.”

READ: Ridon: Undeclared firearms new evidence in Duterte impeachment case

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Senator-judges were raising questions to Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) Division Chief Rendell Sopeña when court officials saw Abante dozing off.

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“Before calling on Senator Joel Villanueva, may I ask Congressman Defensor, Congressman Barbers to kindly nudge Cong. Benny a bit?  It seems he’s tired.  He may want to rest somewhere but at least not right behind the witness,” Escudero said.

Lead public prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro joked that she thinks that Abante, a pastor, is praying for them.  However, Escudero said he doubts that.

“Your Honor, I think he’s praying for us,” Luistro said.  “He’s praying for the prosecution, your Honor.”

“Um, I doubt that,” Escudero replied.  “Senator-judge Joel Villanueva is recognized, you have two minutes.  It’s been a long day I guess for (Cong. Benny) because they just approved the budget last week.  You may proceed when you’re ready.”

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After the questions from the senator-judges, the Senate discharged Sopeña from the witness stand.  The next witness that will be presented by the prosecution, still for Article II of the Articles of Impeachment, will be P/Maj. Joericson Sangalang of the Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Office (PNP-FEO).

According to the prosecution panel’s request for a subpoena, Sangalang will be presented regarding concerns relevant to Article II, which deals with allegations that Duterte has unexplained wealth, and that this was not declared in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).

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“Police Major Sangalang, as representative of the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office, has already been subpoenaed. The Panel intends to present him as a witness concerning matters relevant to Article II of the Articles of Impeachment and within the official records and competence of the PNP-FEO,” the prosecution’s request stated.

It is still unclear what particular matter Sangalang will touch on, but public prosecutor and Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon said last June 16 that they found new evidence for Duterte’s impeachment case, particularly a significant stash of firearms worth millions that she failed to disclose in her SALN.

The firearms are supposedly owned by Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, and were registered with the PNP.

Ridon initially said that there were more than 30 firearms, but in a later interview, the lawmaker said that there were 50 firearms — composed of rifles, shotguns, pistols, and revolvers.

To be exact, Ridon said that there are 52 firearms — 29 of which belong to Carpio while 23 are under Duterte’s name.

After Sangalang, the prosecution is expected to present Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, brother of the vice president, to shed light into the contracts entered by the local government with Gencorp Industries Inc.

READ: Defense must explain Sara Duterte’s Gencorp interest – Tolosa

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The prosecution claims that contracts are anomalous since Vice President Duterte had declared financial interest in Gencorp — even if corporate records show that she was not listed as a shareholder. /jpv