00:00Forgive me, I didn't see you.
00:01What is the pleasure of Senator Judge Irvin Tulka?
00:03Mr. President, I have asked this question before, and I would like to ask it again.
00:09It seems like we're finishing Article 1 now.
00:13We're moving. We're talking about Articles, I think, 3 and 4.
00:20The question, Mr. President, I would like to ask the prosecution,
00:24are we going to see Colonel LaChica and Colonel Nolasco here?
00:30Because I've been reading in the newspaper and news online that the prosecution is saying
00:37that they do not need to present Colonel LaChica anymore in Nolasco.
00:41Well, in fact, Mr. President, all of us here, Senator Judges, would like to ask questions.
00:49Gusto po natin matanong si Colonel LaChica.
00:52Ano ba talaga? May kinalaman ba ang Vice President dito?
00:56May bas-bas ba siya?
00:58O binulsa mo lang, ikaw lang ang tumira ng lahat na yan.
01:02At wala namang kinalaman yung boss mo.
01:05We would like to ask the person himself, yung mga binigyan po ng pera,
01:10Mr. President, it's common sense.
01:13Binigyan kita ng pera, okay, binigay ng dispersing officer doon sa tao,
01:19tapos pinaperman niya kung sino-sino.
01:21Gusto natin malaman na baka sila lang nag-usap-usap.
01:25Wala namang alam doon sa taas, di ba?
01:27So we'd like to cross-examine him here.
01:30Gusto po natin siya matanong.
01:32Ganon din po si Colonel Nolasco.
01:35Pupwede ba yun, Mr. President, if the prosecution is not intending anymore
01:40or do not have plans to present them here,
01:44Lachica and Nolasco.
01:45Pupwede ba ang korte mismo magpatawag sa kanila para matanong din namin si Lachica at Nolasco
01:52na ikaw, lahat kayong dalawa ay tinuturo na lahat ng ito.
01:57Gusto namin, gusto natin malaman, Mr. President,
01:59Ano ba talaga?
02:00What's the deal?
02:02Honorable Luistro, can you limit your answer to simply confirming the news article reports
02:09that indicate that both Lachica and Nolasco will no longer be called by the prosecution?
02:16Or was that simply a decision or if that's good for that day may still change until you rest?
02:25Your Honor, please, with all due respect to the senator judges,
02:29but it is our humble submission that the allegation of misuse and misappropriation of confidential fund
02:38have been satisfied already by the testimony of the witnesses presented, Your Honor.
02:43So you won't present them anymore?
02:45That is correct, Your Honor.
02:46Now, to answer the Honorable Senator Judge Irwin Tulfo,
02:50we do not know yet if the defense will call Lachica in Nolasco
02:56because I believe they are listed too as a common witness supposedly by both parties in the pretrial order.
03:02So there may still be a chance.
03:04But should that not happen, Senator Judge Irwin Tulfo,
03:08nothing prevents the court from calling a witness,
03:13not only as amicus curiae, but also as a witness or even recalling a witness for that matter,
03:20should the court decide at the proper time to do so.
03:24But that would come after, if at all, the presentation of the evidence-in-chief of both parties.
03:29We allow them as much as possible to do it first.
03:33And when we feel that there is a need, then we can discuss it and put it to a vote
03:38if necessary.
03:39That is before we go to the unexplained wealth and bribery articles.
03:44Is that correct, Mr. Presiding Officer?
03:46No, that would be before we arrive at a decision, Senator Judge Tulfo,
03:52if you feel like it's necessary for us to arrive at a decision on a specific article.
03:57Because that won't be part of the presentation, really, of the evidence of either party.
04:02In fact, should we decide to call either Lachica or Nolasco,
04:08he will not be examined by either of the parties who didn't call him.
04:12He will only answer to the queries of Senator Judges
04:16because he is a witness called by the court and not by the parties.
04:20Thank you, Mr. Presiding Officer.
04:22Thank you, Senator Judge Tulfo.
04:24Again, my apologies, Honorable Luizro.
