Defense objects to use of Waray in Sara Duterte impeachment trial

CEBU CITY, Philippines — A brief exchange over the use of language marked the fourth day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Monday, July 13.

A member of the House prosecution panel, lawyer Amando Virgil Ligutan, briefly began conversing with a resource person in Waray, prompting an objection from one of Duterte’s defense lawyers. The language is widely spoken in Eastern Visayas.

He began by saying, “Kitam magpapadayon han aton mga pakiana ngan imo pagbaton han aton…” before defense counsel Atty. Mark Vinluan interrupted the proceedings. (Let’s continue our questions and your answers…)

“Your Honor, may I be allowed to make a manifestation? As I understand, only Filipino and English… because I cannot understand, Your Honor, what he was saying. So can we just ask that he states his statement in Filipino or English?” Vinluan told the impeachment court.

Rules on language

Responding to the objection, Ligutan argued that Filipino encompasses the country’s regional languages.

“Your Honor, Filipino language encompasses all the languages, dialects. It includes our very own Waray-Waray,” he said.

Presiding officer Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero reminded both camps that the impeachment court’s rules allow only Filipino and English during the proceedings.

READ ALSO: Who is Amando Virgil Ligutan, Cebu’s top litigator in VP Duterte trial?

“Counsel, the rules state only Filipino and English. I will let it go once in a while, but not each time,” Escudero said.

Vinluan replied, “We submit, Your Honor,” and the proceedings continued.

Fourth day of Sara Duterte impeachment trial

The House prosecution panel continued presenting witnesses and evidence before the Senate sitting as an impeachment court.

The impeachment trial stems from complaints endorsed by the House of Representatives accusing Duterte of culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, and other alleged impeachable offenses.

Through her legal team, Duterte has denied the allegations and continues to contest the prosecution’s evidence before the impeachment court.

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