Senator-judges rebuke Davao City accountant over 'evasive' answers at impeachment trial

A Davao City government accountant presented by the defense drew sharp criticism from senator-judges on Tuesday, who said she was being evasive and slow to answer questions at the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, GMA News reported.

The witness, Vingelin Bajan, was questioned on Day 41 of the trial by private prosecutor Mae Divinagracia. She was asked to confirm whether a signature on a document presented by the prosecution was hers, and whether she had been a partner in the accounting firm Ampil, Elises, Ciudadano & Co CPAs, which was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2003.

Senator-Judge Raffy Tulfo said Bajan appeared to be dodging a very simple question. He also criticised defense witnesses more broadly, noting that a witness the previous day had been laughing on the stand. According to GMA News' translation, Tulfo asked the presiding officer why the court should not cite such witnesses in contempt so that they would respect the impeachment court. He added that it may be time for the court to make an example of someone.

Bajan explained that she was taking time to answer because she needed to refresh her memory.

Presiding officer Escudero said his patience was "wearing thin" after the witness repeatedly said she could not remember details or was unfamiliar with the documents shown to her. He told her that the prosecutor was not accusing her of any illegal act and that having been part of the firm would not, by itself, violate any law.

Escudero also remarked that, as an accountant, she would be unlikely to forget having been part of an accounting firm during her professional career, according to GMA News.

The GMA News report did not say whether the court went on to cite Bajan or any other witness in contempt.