Typographical errors, misspelled words in affidavits, and other clerical mistakes- these were among the key points raised by the defense panel of Vice President Sara Duterte during the cross-examination of the prosecution’s second witness and NBI BARMM Regional Director Atty. Jeremy Lotoc.

Atty. Lotoc, as the head of cybercrime division, led the investigation into the threat videos of VP Duterte against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. 

“Yan na ba yung best niyo? Parang galingan niyo pa nang konti kasi even if they had raised document discrepancies on cross (examination), it did not diminish the threat itself. It does not basically diminish the credibility of Atty. Lotoc,” Rep. Ridon said

[“Is that your best? They should do a little better because even if they had they raised document discrepancies on cross (examination), it did not basically diminish or impinge on the credibility of Atty. Lotoc.”]

According to the House prosecution panel, the defense's strategy didn't shatter the prosecution’s argument that the Vice President made actual threats.

“Ang pinag-uusapan pa rin po natin dito ’yon pong banta ng pangalawang pangulo sa pangulo, sa House Speaker, at sa First Lady, so hindi nagbabago ’yon.” Ridon said

[“What we are still talking about here is the Vice President’s threat against the President, the House Speaker, and the First Lady, so that does not change.”]

“Ang tanong dito, para sa’min ay, ito bang mga sinasabing maling spelling, maling petsa, maling docket number, meron bang epekto ito dun sa seryosong usapin ng pagtataksil sa tiwala ng bayan, sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaroon ng agreement sa isang mamamatay-tao na patayin ang presidente?” Atty. Tolosa said

[“The question for us here is: do these what they say are misspellings, wrong dates, incorrect docket number have any impact on the serious matter of betraying the public trust by entering into an agreement with a hitman to kill the President?”]

“Bakit ba tila nililihis ng defense yung isyu? Bakit hindi nila sagutin — totoo ba o hindi yung pagbabanta ng pagpatay?” Rep. Garin said

[“Why does the defense seem to be deflecting the issue? Why can’t they jst answer – is the death threat true or not?”]

Rep. Ridon also stated that the Vice President herself should directly address the allegations against her.

Meanwhile, defense spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa declined to respond to the claims of Rep. Ridon.

“Congressman Ridon is entitled in his own opinion, and I don’t think it will be appropriate for me to comment on that,” he said

RELATED VIDEO: