Sara Duterte’s defense team says they hit all their targets on 3rd day

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team on Wednesday said they were satisfied with how the third day of the impeachment trial went, adding that they hit all their targets for the day.

During a press conference after the conclusion of the trial’s third day, Defense spokesperson Michael Poa gave their team a 10 out of 10 in terms of meeting their objectives.

“For me 10 out of 10. Score internally. Meaning, we’re very happy that we hit our targets,” said Poa.

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READ: LIVE UPDATES: Impeachment trial of VP Sara Duterte | July 8, 2026

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According to Poa, these targets included the defense’s intent to specify the extent of the investigation made by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) through the prosecution panel’s witness Senior Agent John Mark Calilung of the NBI, the nature of the affidavit of investigation, as well as provide context on certain parts of the video of Duterte’s November 2024 online press conference, which was used by the prosecution as one of its pieces of evidence.

Poa even praised defense counsel Carlo Joaquin Narvasa, who took charge of the cross examination of Calilung.

“We had our targets basically for cross-examination, and we’re very happy that Attorney CJ was able to execute that to the T,” he said.

Poa also pointed out how the prosecution objected several times during Narvasa’s cross-examination, taking note of the nature of trial proceedings where objections are normal.

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“There’s nothing wrong with the prosecution objecting. There’s nothing wrong with us objecting. It’s just lawyers doing their jobs,” said Poa.

The Senate impeachment court is currently tackling Article IV of the impeachment complaints against Duterte, which involve the alleged assassination threats she made against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

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Calilung was the first witness presented by the prosecution panel in the trial. /cb

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