Asking witness about China trips improper, unfair, says VP spox

Atty. Salvador Paolo Panelo Jr. (Screengrab from video of the Office of the Vice President)

MANILA, Philippines — Questioning defense witness Jamie Adalin on his trips to China was improper and unfair, Vice President Sara Duterte’s spokesperson, lawyer Salvador Paolo Panelo Jr., said on Monday.

Adalin, the City Assessor of Davao City, testified as the defense team’s first witness on the 40th day of the impeachment trial. 

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During his testimony, Adalin was quizzed about the Matina Crossing property of the Duterte couple that the prosecutors alleged Duterte did not declare in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net worth (SALN).

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However, during trial, Adalin was also pressed regarding his trip to China.

“Sa akin, improper. Kasi yung China trips niya, irrelevant naman yun eh. Kahit na pumunta siya sampung beses sa China, that doesn’t change the fact na yung property, yung sinasabi ng prosecution na hindi dineclare which is covered by transfer certificate of title ending in 0775 is actually declared in her SALN,” Panelo told reporters in an interview at the Senate.

(For me it’s improper. Because his China trips are irrelevant. Even if he goes to China ten times, that doesn’t change the fact that the property that the prosecution says is not declared which is covered by transfer certificate of title ending in 0775 is actually declared in her SALN.)

“The fact is, diba, pinapunta dito yung mama to testify on this Barangay Matina property. Tapos gugulatin niya siya on details of a trip to China that he may have forgotten about already, yung mga detalye. So, I think it was unfair for him to be pressed on those questions,” he added.

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(The fact is you asked the man to testify on this Barangay Matina property then you will surprise him with details of a trip to China, details of which, he may have forgotten about already. So I think it was unfair for him to be pressed on those questions)

According to Panelo, it was “also a bit insulting” for senator-judges to ask Adalin about how much his salary was and how he can afford to travel. 

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He said he thinks almost everyone has the ability to travel every now and then, highlighting that Adalin does not frequent China.

“In fact, dalawang beses lang. So parang I think it was unfair. I think it was badgering the witness already,” Panelo said further.

(In fact, he’s only been there twice. So, like, I think it was unfair. I think it was badgering the witness already)

Adalin’s travels abroad became the subject of the interjections of Senator-Judges Raffy Tulfo and Risa Hontiveros after prosecution counsel Benjamin Tolosa Jr. asked Adelin about an all-expense-paid trip to China supposedly shouldered by the Chinese consulate.

Initially, Adalin stated he could not recall the details of the trip, but after a lunch break and several questions from the senator-judges later, Adalin also confirmed the trip abroad on January 25, 2026.

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Tulfo also revealed Adalin had other trips to Hong Kong, Thailand, and Australia as he inquired on the city assessor’s monthly salary which the witness said was at P120,000. /gsg