Defending questions about NBI witnesses' credentials in the Duterte impeachment case

VICE PRESIDENT Sara Duterte-Carpio's defense team on Wednesday challenged the qualifications of a digital forensics witness, with several senators joining questions about his training and credentials as the impeachment trial turns to the authenticity of video evidence supporting the charges against him.

On the third day of the trial, defense attorney Carlo Joaquin T. Narvasa reviewed the testimony of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Chief Agent John Mark Sta. Ana Calilung, asking about the qualifications of Maxcor Inter-Ventures Co., the company that conducted her two-week digital forensics training.

Referring to the company's profile, Mr. Narvasa said its website described Maxcor Inter-Ventures as a “one-stop source for a variety of products and services aimed at both public and private institutions,” arguing that it appeared to be an equipment supplier rather than a specialized digital forensics training center.

Mr. Calilung, who verified the videos and digital records presented by the prosecution, testified during the trial on Tuesday that he was trained in digital forensics under Maxcor.

Several parliament judges also demanded clarification on the qualifications of the witnesses.

“I noticed earlier that Maxcor Inter-Ventures seems to be supplying equipment,” said Senate President Sherwin T. Gatchalian. “Is Maxcor recognized when it comes to digital intelligence training? Is it recognized or a world-renowned training organization?”

The defenders also questioned the certificates and knowledge of Mr. Calilung on digital forensics as they seek to undermine the credibility of the prosecution's main witness, his testimony supporting the verification of videos and other electronic evidence presented at trial.

Mr. Calilung said Maxcor has provided digital forensics training, including photo and video verification.

“The trainer has many certificates in relation to digital forensics,” he said, adding that he also has digital forensic certification.

Towards the end of the trial, Senator Robinhood C. Padilla asked the impeachment court to find Mr. Calilung to bring his digital forensics certification. The presiding officer of Senator Francis Joseph “Chiz” G. Escudero accepted the request.

Meanwhile, Malacañang defended the legality of the Senate's impeachment proceedings after Ms. Duterte asked the Supreme Court to stay the proceedings while it resolves a challenge to Mr. Duterte's authority. Escudero as manager.

The Vice President's camp on Monday asked the high court to uphold the status quo, arguing that the changes in impeachment laws that allow an officer who is not the president of the Senate to handle the case are unconstitutional.

“As far as we know, this is also in line with the Constitution,” said Palace Press chief Clarissa A. Castro in a press conference in Filipino.

He said that legal experts, including former Supreme Court Justice Adolfo S. Azcuna, maintain that the Constitution does not prevent anyone other than the president of the Senate from presiding over the proceedings.

“What are they afraid of if the lawyer stays as the president of the case?” Ms. Castro asked.

He also noted that although Ms. Duterte appeared in the Senate on Tuesday, she did not directly address the allegations against her.

“In his brief statement (on Tuesday), we did not hear any denial of the charges against him,” said Mrs. Castro added that while relying on lawyers may be part of the Vice President's official strategy, the public may have preferred to hear his answer personally.

He also rejected the defense's argument that the trial is aimed at changing the mandate of the more than 32 million Filipinos who voted for Ms. Duterte.

“That is not the purpose of the Constitution,” said Ms. Castro. “Impeachment exists because it is a constitutional way to remove a public official who commits innocent crimes.”

Meanwhile, the party's lawyer Antonio L. Tinio said that the defense's repeated objections to the process show the weakness of their case.

“The strategy of the defense is to avoid or prevent the presentation of evidence by relying on technology,” the congressman said in Filipino. “This shows that they are afraid that Duterte's violation will be exposed to the public.”

He also criticized Ms. Duterte for skipping the case even though she appeared in the Senate on Tuesday, saying that the videos presented by the prosecutors have long been publicly available and that their importance now lies in their legal admission as evidence before the trial court.

“The public has seen Duterte's press conferences where he made those threats,” said Mr. Tinio. “The difference now is that these videos are considered evidence in the impeachment trial.” – Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel, Erika Mae P. Sinaking, again Pexcel John Bacon