Senator-Judge Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Saturday commended Rep. Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno and prosecution expert witness Alexander Cabrera for their respective roles in presenting the prosecution’s unexplained wealth issues in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, even as he awaits the defense’s rebuttal.
Lacson stressed that Cabrera’s testimony remains subject to scrutiny during cross-examination by the defense scheduled to start next week.
In Filipino: Lacson, Pinuri Si Diokno at Expert Witness; Hinihintay ang Sagot ng Depensa
“IMPEACHMENT TRIAL: Without intending to prejudge the outcome, and subject to any convincing rebuttal the defense may present during the cross-examination of prosecution expert witness Atty. Alexander B. Cabrera, Cong. Chel Diokno appears to have tied up the issues under Article II (Unexplained Wealth) with remarkable clarity, precision, and coherence,” he said in a post on X.
IMPEACHMENT TRIAL: Without intending to prejudge the outcome, and subject to any convincing rebuttal the defense may present during the cross-examination of prosecution expert witness Atty. Alexander B. Cabrera, Cong. Chel Diokno appears to have tied up the issues under Article II (Unexplained Wealth) with remarkable clarity, precision, and coherence.
— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) October 10, 2026
On Friday, Diokno questioned Cabrera on Article II of the impeachment complaint against the Vice President, which concerns alleged unexplained wealth.
Rep. Terry Ridon, another public prosecutor, was quoted in reports as saying that after the defense finishes with its cross-examination of Cabrera, followed by any re-direct examination and re-cross examination, the prosecution will present its formal offer of evidence.
During Friday’s proceedings, Lacson remarked in jest that both Diokno and Cabrera had voiced worthy of FM radio. “Hindi po ako inantok (I did not feel sleepy),” he said at the time.
But Lacson pointed out that while he respects Cabrera and his credentials, he cannot consider his testimony conclusive at this stage, as the defense could still challenge his analysis and identify possible weaknesses in his testimony.
He also noted that the defense could present its own expert and analysis, after which he and his fellow senator-judges will weigh the respective testimonies.
“Pag dumating ang inyong pagkakataon na i-present ng sarili ninyong expert na may analysis, titimbangin namin ano mas kapanipaniwala (After the defense has its chance to present its own expert and analysis, we as senator-judges will weigh which of the testimonies are more meritorious),” he said.
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Lacson, Pinuri Si Diokno at Expert Witness; Hinihintay ang Sagot ng Depensa
Kinilala ni Senator-Judge Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Sabado ang papel na ginampanan nina Rep. Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno at prosecution expert witness Alexander Cabrera sa paglalahad ng mga isyu ng prosekusyon kaugnay ng di-maipaliwanag na yaman sa impeachment trial ni Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, habang hinihintay ang magiging tugon ng depensa.
Binigyang-diin ni Lacson na kailangan pang masuri ang testimonya ni Cabrera sa cross-examination ng depensa na nakatakdang magsimula sa susunod na linggo.
“IMPEACHMENT TRIAL: Without intending to prejudge the outcome, and subject to any convincing rebuttal the defense may present during the cross-examination of prosecution expert witness Atty. Alexander B. Cabrera, Cong. Chel Diokno appears to have tied up the issues under Article II (Unexplained Wealth) with remarkable clarity, precision, and coherence,” saad niya sa isang post sa X.
Noong Biyernes, tinanong ni Diokno si Cabrera hinggil sa Article II ng impeachment complaint laban sa Bise Presidente, na tumatalakay sa alegasyon ng di-maipaliwanag na yaman.
Ayon sa mga ulat, sinabi ni Rep. Terry Ridon, isa pang public prosecutor, na kung matapos na ang cross-examination ng depensa kay Cabrera, at posibleng re-direct examination at re-cross-examination, ihaharap na ng prosekusyon ang pormal na listahan ng mga ebidensiyang nais nitong tanggapin ng hukuman.
Sa pagdinig noong Biyernes, pabirong sinabi ni Lacson na pang-FM radio ang mga boses nina Diokno at Cabrera. “Hindi po ako inantok,” aniya.
Gayunman, sinabi ni Lacson na bagama’t iginagalang niya si Cabrera at ang kanyang mga kredensiyal, hindi pa niya maituturing na conclusive ang testimonya nito sa yugtong ito, dahil maaari pang kuwestiyunin ng depensa ang pagsusuri nito at tukuyin ang mga posibleng kahinaan ng kanyang testimonya.
Binanggit din niya na maaaring magharap ang depensa ng sarili nitong eksperto at pagsusuri, na pagkatapos ay titimbangin nila ng kanyang mga kapwa senador-hukom ang kani-kanilang testimonya.
“Pag dumating ang inyong pagkakataon na i-present ang sarili ninyong expert na may analysis, titimbangin namin kung ano ang mas kapanipaniwala,” aniya.
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