Assessor’s evasive answers draw ire of senator-judges

MANILA, Philippines — Davao City Assessor Jaime Adalin, the first witness presented by Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team in her impeachment trial, drew sharp rebukes from senator-judges on Monday over his shifting answers about a China trip and a property owned by Duterte’s husband.

Private prosecutor Benjamin Tolosa Jr. said the questions tested Adalin’s credibility after he repeatedly said he could not remember when he went to China, where he went or who arranged the trip.

Adalin was presented to counter allegations that Duterte had unexplained wealth and failed to disclose assets in her statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN). Duterte appointed him assessor when she was Davao City mayor in 2017.

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Tolosa asked on cross-examination whether Adalin was among Davao City officials who went to China in November 2025 on an allegedly all-expenses-paid trip sponsored by the Chinese consulate.

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Defense counsel Lindon Bacquel objected to the question, but Tolosa said it was meant to test the witness’ credibility.

“I think that is irrelevant,” Adalin said, drawing laughter and prompting presiding officer Francis Escudero to remark: “You’re being funny, engineer Jimmy.”

Adalin said he could not recall the date. Asked if he remembered traveling to China around November last year, he replied: “Perhaps? Again, I don’t have the record. You don’t exactly memorize all your travels, right?”

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Tolosa said Adalin’s answer was evasive.

Question on credibility

Senator-judge Vicente Sotto III said the question was needed “to gauge the credibility of the witness,” adding that the court could obtain Adalin’s travel records from the Bureau of Immigration.

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Senator-judge Erwin Tulfo warned Adalin that he could be cited for contempt for dodging questions.

“Mr. Presiding Officer, it feels as though this witness is making us look like fools. Sir, may I remind you that you are under oath. You are turning your testimony into a joke. That is not allowed. We can cite you for contempt,” Tulfo said.

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The questioning over Adalin’s overseas travel covered separate trips in 2018, 2025 and 2026.

Adalin’s initial statement that he could not recall the November 2025 trip raised by Tolosa prompted senator-judges to question his credibility.

Adalin later confirmed a separate trip to China with several Davao City department heads from Jan. 25 to 30, 2026, flying to Beijing and returning from Shanghai. He described it as a personal trip but could not recall the travel agency that arranged their bookings or all the places they visited.

Senator-judge Raffy Tulfo subsequently confronted him with records of another China trip on Nov. 12, 2018, aboard Philippine Airlines Flight PR356, saying Adalin had spent two days there. Adalin again could not recall the trip.

Tulfo also questioned how Adalin, who earns about P120,000 monthly as a department head, could afford frequent overseas trips, including visits to Hong Kong, Thailand and Australia. Adalin maintained that he paid for his travels with personal funds.

Property dispute

Senator-judges also questioned Adalin about Carpio’s 379-square-meter Matina property and its disclosure in Duterte’s SALN.

Adalin identified it as the residential lot listed under Barangay 74-A, citing matching tax declaration figures. But he later said he was unsure whether photographs of a building bearing the “Prime Bistro” sign showed the property.

Senator-judge Francis Pangilinan questioned the reversal. Adalin later confirmed the identification after consulting his staff.

“Clearly, there are inconsistencies in your testimonies. Forgive me, engineer, but you say one thing, and then you say another thing, so we are wondering: what is really true about what you are saying?” Pangilinan said.

Senator-judge Raffy Tulfo questioned Adalin’s claim that the building’s classification depended on its actual use, saying a property bearing the name Prime Bistro would ordinarily be commercial.

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Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian likewise said a building used as a restaurant should be classified as commercial, even if the land was zoned residential. /cb