Escudero sustains Divinagracia’s objection, calls Ferrer’s question misleading

Manila Bulletin

Prosecution counsel Atty. Mae Divinagracia objected to defense counsel Atty. Kristine Ferrer’s question about witness Lemuel Ortonio’s involvement in the disbursement, despite Ortoño earlier saying he had no participation in the process.  Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero sustained the objection, ruling that Ferrer’s question was misleading and not in line with Ortoño’s earlier statement that Col. Lachica only described information about the informants as confidential. Ferrer later withdrew the question.  Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin  Visit our website at http://mb.com.ph Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletin Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletin Instagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletin Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin  #VPSaraOnTrial #ManilaBulletinOnline #ManilaBulletin #LatestNews

Transcript

00:00The reason being is that the information as to the identity of the informants is classified and sensitive under the

00:08joint circular, specifically item 3.28.

00:12Objection, Your Honor. This witness has already repeatedly testified that he had no participation in the disbursement of the confidential

00:23funds, Your Honor.

00:24And yet, Defense Counsel, with all due respect to her, keeps on propounding questions related to the disbursement.

00:35And this answer, Counsel, will always be in the negative because he has been consistent in regard to not having

00:41any participation with the disbursement.

00:44I think that has been established, Attorney Christine, that he has no participation in the disbursement.

00:50Ah, absolutely, Your Honor. My question was not about the disbursement, Your Honor.

00:55If I can repeat it, Your Honor.

00:56Can you repeat the question, Attorney Christine?

00:57Yes, thank you.

00:59You answered earlier that, as far as you know, the confidential informants only liaise with Colonel LaChica.

01:05That was your answer earlier.

01:07And the reason being, if you know, is that the information as to the identity of the informants is classified

01:15and sensitive under the JCP.

01:17Can I just finish my question, Your Honor?

01:19Finish the question, Counsel.

01:21Yes.

01:21And I will repeat, Your Honor.

01:24The reason being is that the information as to the identity of the informants is sensitive under the Joint Circular.

01:34Your Honor, I raise the same objection, Your Honor.

01:37This witness already testified that he has no participation in the disbursement and implementation of the confidential funds.

01:46Now, Defense Counsel is asking the reason why the informants did not directly.

01:55Your Honor, please.

01:56Chair will make a ruling.

01:58Chair will sustain the objection, but not on that ground, but on the ground it is misleading because the witness

02:03did not say that it is of a sensitive nature, but that, if I remember correctly, it was confidential.

02:10That was the statement made by Attorney LaChica to him, that he didn't say it because it was confidential.

02:18Yes, Your Honor.

02:19We will no longer push the question.

02:35You

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