00:00Yes, Mr. Presiding Officer, much like our former Senate President, I am clarified that it's not the witness who is
00:06sick, but it's one of the lawyers who is sick.
00:09So would it be possible just to, let's begin session at two after our, sorry, let's begin the trial at
00:15two.
00:16We have session at one that gives the prosecution an hour and a half to prepare.
00:21And they can have another lawyer direct, do the direct examination for the BIR witness.
00:28Would that be, I think that would be fair for everybody, Mr. Presiding Officer.
00:33I was about to take up that point, Senator Judge Aquino.
00:39Again, it's already 1022 and we're debating still on this.
00:46For the information of the parties, the Senate will convene as a legislative body at one o'clock.
00:54Instead of reverting to trial after the lunch recess.
00:59We shall be resuming trial at around 2.30, 3, because we still have to rearrange the tables.
01:07And we'll continue with the trial until about probably 6.
01:11So that'll be a total of about 3 hours, 3 and a half hours at best.
01:18So, in accordance with the rule on the inherent powers of the court, I beg the indulgence of the parties.
01:35We will allow the direct examination of the witness.
01:39Hopefully, it will only cover mostly preliminary matters and qualifications.
01:45And we will afford that if they should finish.
01:50Approximately how long is this witness's direct going to be?
01:54Do you have an estimate?
01:57Around 3 hours, Your Honor.
02:00So, clearly, there might even be no cross today at all?
02:06That is a possibility, Your Honor.
02:07Attorney Sheila, the best I can do is allow cross tomorrow.
02:12And if Attorney Irwin should condition improve to bring back the BIR and let the BIR testify,
02:24even if we are right in the middle of the direct of the forensic expert attorney Cabrera,
02:34to highlight that the court's priority would still be the BIR.
02:38Now, on Friday, on Friday, if Attorney Irwin is still not available,
02:47the court expects the prosecution to replace him with another lawyer
02:50so that the BIR will be presented on Friday.
02:57Finish or not finish, pass your paper na kayo doon.
03:01Is that understood, Honorable Redon?
03:04We should bid you on.
03:07Again, Attorney Sheila, with your indulgence,
03:10we will give you and afford you every possible time to conduct your cross
03:14and make reservations with respect to this witness's testimony.
03:21But I think, given the time, we will be adjourning in about an hour or an hour and a half.
03:28And then you'll have two and a half hours to go over it, study more,
03:35and we will continue with the direct and see how long it goes.
03:40If you will, you can do your cross already tomorrow after the BIR.
03:46Our priority will still be the BIR.
03:48Again, Honorable Redon, the court's admonition would be the BIR should be presented tomorrow
03:56whether or not Attorney Irwin is available.
04:00But if he should be available within the afternoon or ready and able to,
04:05we will call the BIR in the stead of Attorney Cabrera,
04:12even in the middle of direct examination this afternoon.
04:15Is that clear?
04:16Yes, you are right. This is our commitment.
