‘Mahusay!’: De Lima gives big credit to soft-spoken Diokno after favorable impeachment court ruling

Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima gave huge props to her fellow solon-prosecutor, Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno for helping deliver a crucial victory for them in Vice President Sara Duterte's Senate impeachment trial. De Lima was referring to the impeachment court’s twin rulings on Monday, July 20 which granted the House prosecution panel’s motions to subpoena the tax records, Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) reports, and bank records of Duterte, her husband lawyer Manases Carpio, and their businesses, subject to certain limitations. "Saludo po tayo kay Rep. Chel Diokno sa mahusay at malinaw na pagpapaliwanag sa paninindigan ng House prosecution na hindi dapat hadlangan ang paglalabas ng napakahalagang ebidensya ukol sa totoong yaman ni VP Sara," she said. (We salute Rep. Chel Diokno for his clear and excellent explanation of the House prosecution’s position that the release of crucial evidence on VP Sara’s true wealth must not be obstructed.) It was the rookie congressman--known for his soft voice and calm demeanor-- who led the oral arguments for the side of the prosecution , which earlier requested the court to issue subpoenas for the respondent's bank and tax records. The panel has been saying that the documents are crucial to proving allegations of unexplained wealth--as indicated in one of the four articles of impeachment against Duterte. The oral arguments began during the previous hearing date Wednesday, July 15 and was continued on Monday. "Malaking tagumpay ito para sa katotohanan. Tagumpay ito ng taumbayan na karapatang makita at masuri rin ang mga ebidensya sa prosesong ito ng pananagutan. Nanaig po dito ang hangarin nating maisiwalat ang buong katotohanan, hindi ang confidentiality," noted De Lima, Diokno's "classmate" in the 20th Congress. (This is a major victory for truth. It is a victory for the people, whose right to see and examine...