Sara Duterte’s lawyers: We respect Sarmiento’s refusal to testify

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte’s lawyers in her impeachment trial said on Thursday that they respect former law dean Ralph Sarmiento’s decision not to stand as a defense witness.

Sarmiento declined the defense’s invitation to testify, saying it was necessary “to preserve the independence of my constitutional law scholarship and the impartiality of my legal views and opinions.”

“We respect Dean Sarmiento’s personal decision and appreciate his initial consideration of our invitation,” defense counsel and spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa told reporters in a text message.

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READ: Duterte impeachment: Ex-law school dean declines to testify for defense

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The defense also wished the law professor well.

“We wish him well in his continued contributions to constitutional discourse,” Poa said.

Sarmiento was listed among the defense witnesses in Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth. /mcm