Defense lawyer Sison labels expert’s testimony erroneous as prosecution moves to strike

On the 38th day of the Senate impeachment trial concerning Vice President Sara Duterte, defense lead counsel Sheila Sison criticized financial forensic analyst Alexander Cabrera’s testimony as “unbridled and erroneous,” asserting he had been given a broad platform. Prosecutor Representative Chel Diokno responded by moving to strike Sison’s statement, contending that calling the expert’s opinion erroneous was a legal conclusion beyond order.

Sison objected, arguing the witness’s opinion proved he offered conclusions, not facts. Presiding officer Francis Escudero ruled that Sison’s remarks would remain in the record, emphasizing they represented the defense’s viewpoint rather than the court’s. Diokno then filed a counter-manifestation, maintaining the prosecution’s stance that the defense’s characterization was misplaced. The exchange underscores the contentious battle over expert evidence in the high-profile impeachment case.