BY REUTERS

Senator-judges on Wednesday afternoon held a caucus after the defense and prosecution panels presented arguments on the request to subpoena the tax and bank records of Vice President Sara Duterte, her husband Manases Carpio, and the businesses linked to them.

Senate impeachment court presiding officer Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero declared a recess at 3:24 p.m.

Prior to this, Escudero acknowledged what he described as calm and respectful oral arguments between House prosecutor Chel Diokno and defense counsel Michael Poa regarding the motion to subpoena Duterte’s bank and tax records.

“Binabati ko ang magkabilang panig…sa isang mahinahon, malumanay, maginoo, at magalang na diskurso at debate kaugnay sa maituturing nating kontrobersyal na isyung ito,” Escudero said.

(I commend both sides for a calm, temperate, gentlemanly, and respectful discourse and debate regarding this issue, which we can consider controversial.)

“Inaasahan ko, ‘yan din ang magaganap sa caucus at sa aming pagbabalik matapos nito,” he added.

(I expect the same to happen during the caucus and after we return.)

The defense and the prosecution panels will be advised as to what time the senator-judges will finish the caucus.