Defense denies delaying impeach trial

MANILA, Philippines – The defense panel was not trying to delay the impeachment trial with side issues, one of its lawyers said on Wednesday.

Jose Roy III

Defense counsel Jose Roy III told the media that it was not their intention to delay the proceedings but that they “will take time to present our evidence, kahit na wala nang nanonood sa amin [even if no one’s watching us anymore]. Sino ba ang umubos sa oras dito, kami ba [Who wasted time, did we]?”

“We try to present evidence that are interesting,” he added, pointing out that one of their witnesses on Tuesday, Demetrio Vicente, had been just that. “[He was] candid, energetic… truthful and witty. He was a very intelligent witness.”

“Rest assured that he is telling the truth,” Roy added.