Retired Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang said she was not paid to testify at Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, is not seeking any government appointment, and is not political.
Cabotaje-Tang made the statement when questioned by the defense in Vice President Sara Duterte’s trial about her political affiliation and experience.
The defense had objected to the prosecution presenting her as a witness about public accountability, including officials’ statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth.
Defense counsel Mark Vinluan asked Cabotaje-Tang if she was promised anything in return in exchange for her testimony.
She said it was not the case.
“I will never testify if ever I was offered anything, material or otherwise. My testimony is not for sale,” she said.
She also said she appeared before the Impeachment Court in compliance with its subpoena and if it were up to her, she would not have testified.
When Vinluan said she could withdraw her testimony, she said she would not do that.
Responding to another question, Cabotaje-Tang also said she is not seeking an ambassadorial post.
“I am retired and I want to enjoy my retirement,” she added.
Vinluan asked Cabotaje-Tang if she was disappointed in former President Rodrigo Duterte for not appointing her to the Supreme Court, and she said she was not because it was his prerogative.
She also said she is not “anti-Duterte.”
Asked if she liked the Vice President, she said she does not know her personally.
Vinluan then asked if she was a “Kakampink,” and she said she is not political.
“I’ve never been political in my life. I’ve always been apolitical,” she said.
Cabotaje-Tang served the government for over 40 years, starting in the Office of the Solicitor General.
She was appointed to the Sandiganbayan as Associate Justice in 2012, and was named Presiding Justice the following year.
She handled more than a thousand cases in the anti-graft court.
She retired in November 2024.