Davao City assessor says he paid for China trips himself, senators question his recall

Davao City Assessor Jaime Adalin told the Senate impeachment court on Monday, November 9, that he paid out of his own pocket for trips to China, Australia and other countries, but senator-judges pressed him over his failure to recall where he went and who arranged the travel, according to DZRH.

Adalin appeared as a defense witness on the 40th day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Under questioning from Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Adalin confirmed he travelled to China in January 2026 but said he could not remember the specific places visited, his companions or the trip's organiser. When asked if the group had gone to Beijing and Shanghai, he said he believed so but was not certain. He told the court he does not like travelling and so does not keep track of destinations.

Hontiveros questioned how an assessor and engineer could forget the destinations of a trip to a country as large as China, especially after both the prosecution and the defense had presented maps. She also asked how he could visit several countries and multiple places without recalling the details months later.

Adalin said the trip was a group activity he did not organise, and that Davao City's engineer and treasurer were among those with him. He described the travel as personal, not official. He agreed when asked whether he and the other city officials covered the costs themselves despite their government salaries. "Okay, that's something for us to check," Hontiveros replied.

Earlier, Sen. Erwin Tulfo reminded Adalin that he was under oath after the witness repeatedly gave uncertain answers about a reported China trip in November 2025. Tulfo warned that lying under oath carries penalties and that a witness may be cited for contempt.

Sen. Raffy Tulfo also reprimanded Adalin after he could not recall a November 12, 2018 trip to China even when shown flight details, and after he again asked for a question to be repeated. Adalin nonetheless confirmed he had travelled to China, DZRH reported.