The Impeachment Court on Monday allowed retired Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang to testify in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial as an expert on public accountability over the objections of the defense.
Cabotaje-Tang is a witness in the issue of alleged unexplained wealth against Duterte, with House prosecutor Chel Diokno saying her testimony would provide a framework for the impeachment court to understand and evaluate the prosecution’s financial and documentary evidence.
Presiding Officer Sen. Francis Escudero allowed the prosecution to present Cabotaje-Tang, saying it is up to the prosecution to decide on its strategy and which witnesses it wants to present.
Escudero said that while the Impeachment Court takes judicial notice of laws, it does not take judicial notice of what the law means in a specific or particular instance.
He also noted that Cabotaje-Tang is subject to cross-examination.
He said as well that whatever she says is not binding or conclusive upon the Impeachment Court.
Defense counsel Mark Vinluan objected to Cabotaje-Tang’s presentation, saying she was not among the listed witnesses in the pre-trial order of the prosecution.
Vinluan called her a “surprise witness” and said allowing her to testify violates fair play.
He said as well that the defense does not know her personal background and the extent of her testimony.
He also said her presentation infringes on Duterte’s right to cross-examine her intelligently and her right to due process.
Before joining the Sandiganbayan, Cabotaje-Tang served at the Office of the Solicitor General, rising to the position of Assistant Solicitor General.
She was appointed to the Sandiganbayan as Associate Justice in 2012 and was named Presiding Justice the following year.
She retired from the anti-graft court in November 2024.