MANILA — The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte has withdrawn Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Senior Vice President Atty. Paul Roderick Ysmael from its witness list, saying his testimony would only serve to authenticate a letter already acknowledged in open court.

Defense counsel Michael Poa informed the Senate impeachment court on Thursday that Ysmael would no longer be presented because Poa had previously admitted writing the letter concerning the bank accounts of Duterte and her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“The reason being that the only purpose for this witness was to authenticate my letter, Your Honor, and I believe the records would bear that during interpellation, I was already asked about the letter, and I have admitted in open court that I wrote that letter,” Poa told the Senate impeachment court.

Ysmael was initially expected to present and identify certified true copies of the 2026 letter-requests made by Duterte and/or her husband, Atty. Manases Carpio, through Poa, Himala and Virtucio Law.

“It would be in the interest of time that we just dispensed with this witness, since this is only for the purpose of authentication. And that letter of mine has already been marked as well as an exhibit for the defense,” Poa added.

The decision came after prosecution witness Marwin Galvez, BPI division head for central Manila branches, testified that a joint bank account under the names of Duterte and her father was used to purchase a P16-million manager’s check for businessman Sammy Uy.

Following the defense’s announcement, private prosecutor James Ali asked the impeachment court for permission to make manifestations concerning documents subpoenaed for Ysmael’s testimony.

However, Senate impeachment court presiding officer Francis Escudero denied the request, noting that the prosecution had already rested its case.

The defense had earlier dropped 15 other bank officials from its witness list, including representatives of BDO Unibank, EastWest Bank, Landbank, Metrobank, and Philippine Savings Bank, citing the need to shorten the proceedings and save the court’s time.

It also withdrew the testimony of Matina Crossing Barangay Captain Cindy Colina of Davao City, who was supposed to testify on geographical records.

Meanwhile, law professor Ralph Sarmiento had previously declined to take the witness stand as the defense’s opening witness to address allegations of unexplained wealth.

With Ysmael’s withdrawal, the defense has dispensed with 16 witnesses from its original list.