MANILA — Witnesses in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio face possible contempt sanctions and perjury charges for lying under oath, the Senate impeachment court warned Tuesday following concerns over the conduct of a defense witness and his failure to submit documents demanded by the court.
Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero issued the warning during the trial’s 41st session after Senator-Judge Vicente “Tito” Sotto III sought clarification on the penalties for witnesses who give false testimony.
“They may be subject to contempt by the court, your Honor,” Escudero said.
He added that witnesses could also face perjury complaints before the appropriate authorities because their testimonies are given under oath.
Senator-Judge Panfilo “Ping” Lacson reinforced the warning, citing Rule V of Senate Resolution No. 39, which empowers the impeachment court to compel witnesses to appear, enforce its orders and punish contempt or disobedience.
Lacson also criticized the behavior of a witness during Monday’s hearing, stressing that the impeachment proceedings must be treated with seriousness and respect.
“Yesterday was not a good day for the impeachment court simply because we had a witness who smirked, who laughed, and almost made a mockery of the impeachment trial. And we don’t want to have a repeat of that kind of testimony,” Lacson said.
“Just a reminder to everyone that this is not an implied power of the impeachment court but an expressed power granted by such resolution,” he added.
The warnings followed Monday’s testimony of Davao City Assessor Jaime Adalin, the defense’s first witness, who was questioned about his January 2026 trip to China.
Adalin initially claimed he could not recall specific details of the trip but later acknowledged traveling to China for personal reasons. He promised to submit official travel records.
Escudero disclosed Tuesday that Adalin had yet to comply with the court’s directive.
He ordered the clerk of court to follow up with Adalin, who was also required to submit a list of properties registered under Duterte-Carpio and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio.
Escudero warned that the court could issue a compulsory order if Adalin failed to submit the documents by Wednesday without a satisfactory explanation for the delay./PN
