The prosecution lead counsel, Lorna Kapunan, is one of a kind. She argues her case in the Impeachment Court at the Senate Hall and in the Court of Public Opinion. In both situations she controls the situation.
Consider this. When former State Auditor Roderick Wamil, the prosecution witness, was asked by Defense Lawyer, Atty. Michael Poa, whether a single centavo of the confidential and intelligence fund went to the pocket of Vice President Sara Duterte, Kapunan interdicted: “Wait! Don’t answer! Huy!!.
While it drew laughter in the Courtroom, it leaves a bad taste in the mouth. As a non-lawyer I don’t know whether this is countenanced by the court. I asked a legal luminary of his opinion. His take: “Her theatrical style keeps her effective on the political stage of an impeachment trial, it repeatedly tests the traditional line between robust advocacy and strict forensic discipline. At any rate, she achieved her purpose. Objection sustained”.
My source added:
“Under the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA), particularly Canon II on Propriety, lawyers are expected to maintain formal courtroom language and dignity before a tribunal. While the colloquial “Huy!” brought levity to the chamber and amused the court, relying on informal exclamations rather than formal requests (“May the witness be instructed not to answer pending a ruling, Your Honor”) pushes the boundary of courtroom etiquette”.
Kapunan too has her own free-wheeling discourse in the court of public opinion using online media platforms to the hilt. As a neophyte journalist before, I have been cautioned by my editors to be careful of sub judice rule, “a legal principle that restricts public comments, media discussions, and disclosures about ongoing judicial proceedings”. In the case of Kapunan, she bakes her cake and eat it too.
In the meantime, a parallel phalanx of obviously black propagandists and “analysts” have their fiesta in vilifying VP Sara not only on the issue of confidential and intelligence funds in the office of the Department of Education which she once headed but also of Davao City CIF when she was mayor. The accusation sprung simply from sheer ignorance. Sen. Risa Hontiveroz for example criticized VP Sara for the CIF of Davao City which she claimed is bigger than that of Makati City when the latter is larger. An ignorant vlogger from Quezon City also said the same thing.
But what is the truth? Davao City is four times bigger than the national capital region. Because the city was once the bastion of CPP/NPA terrorists and prime target the separatists organizations, it maintained a network of tripping points especially in the coastal and the porous borders with neighboring provinces. This started during the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte as mayor. TPs reports to integrated intelligence center in Davao City’s 911 headquarters which monitor all suspicious persons and activities around the city . It maintains a network of high definition CCTVs, emergency police response teams, ambulances and medical teams, fire trucks among others.
Davao City government donates more than half of prowl vehicles and motorcycles to the Davao City Police Office. One of the important factors behind the declaration of Davao by the AFP as the first in the entire country to be insurgents free. It did not come as an accident. It happened because of the leadership of then Mayor Sara Duterte and her prudent use of intelligence funds.
So there. If survey firms, domestic and international cites Davao City as the most peaceful and livable place in the country, it is on account of proper application of its CIF and Duterte leadership.
