Private prosecutor Mae Divinagracia caught netizens’ attention with her first appearance in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, with many noting her calm demeanor at the outset and her fighting words as she wrapped up her examination of the witness.
There were also those who were charmed by the fresh-faced lawyer, asking if she was taken and teasing Presiding Officer Sen. Francis Escudero when he suggested that she take a break to drink something warm to soothe her sore throat.
Divinagracia led the direct examination of hostile witness Lemuel Ortonio, Assistant Chief of Staff of the Office of the Vice President, about the OVP’s reports on its use of confidential funds. Duterte is accused of misusing the funds.
When Divinagracia started her questions, she was seen holding a wooden object in her hand, which she later said was her “comfort cross.”
“It calms me down, calms my nerves,” she told reporters.
But her calm demeanor did not stop her from making a pointed statement as she ended her questions about the justification for the use of Duterte’s confidential funds.
“You will also agree with me na kapag paiba-iba ang rason, maaring nagsisinungaling lang or talaga namang ito ay isa lamang scam,” she said.
Her remark was stricken off the record based on the defense’s objection.
Defense counsel Kristine Ferrer also asked the Impeachment Court to remind the prosecution not to use “inappropriate” words like “scam,” saying it is not supposed to make insinuations, accusations, or conclusions.
Escudero agreed, noting that it had become a “habit” of the prosecutors to close their direct examination with strong statements.
Divinagracia said the prosecution apologized if it got carried away by its zeal or passion.
“But we in the prosecution, we just want to call a spade a spade,” she added.
Divinagracia is the managing partner of Co Nazario Velasco-Catera and Divinagracia Law Offices.
She recently served as counsel for former Public Works Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral when the latter was linked to the flood control corruption controversy.
She is involved in commercial, civil, and criminal litigation, arbitration, product liability, corporate rehabilitation, intra-corporate controversies, and labor and family law.
She obtained her law degree from Ateneo de Manila University.