Record of the Senate - Integrated Bar of the Philippines

10 TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2012Ms. Roxas. If the accused is not willing to stipulate on this matter, Mr. President, I am afraidthat we should allow the Defense to present this Witness.Mr. Roy. Let me just verify. I am unaware of Mr. Basa’s death. Personally, I cannot...Ms. Roxas. But this is borne of the records. It will be part of the cross-examination.Mr. Roy. All right, we will stipulate that he passed away on August 29, did you say?The Presiding Officer. I thought you have no knowledge?Mr. Roy. No, personal, Your Honor. She says it is on the record. I will take her word for it.Anyway, the records are here, the Clerk of Court is here.Ms. Roxas. Madam Witness, we will be willing to make it of record that indeed this notice ofdeath was given to and submitted as part of the record of the case.Mr. Roy. If you will allow me, I am on direct still, Your Honor.Ms. Roxas. No, but we are trying to expedite.Mr. Roy. Yes, I will ask her the question, I will ask her the question.The Presiding Officer. Counsel, respect this Court.Mr. Roy. With the permission of the Honorable Court, I want to establish the veracity of theproposition made by the Prosecution.The Presiding Officer. All right.Mr. Roy. Madam Witness, can you please tell us whether or not there is anything in the recordsthat attests to the death or establishes the time or date of death of the Defendant Jose M. Basa?Ms. Cristi. Wala po, wala pong notice of death.Mr. Roy. So I cannot stipulate then.Ms. Roxas. In which case, if there are no further questions on direct, may we be allowed to godirectly to cross?Mr. Roy. On what, Your Honor?Ms. Roxas. Because the Witness is supposed to be here to testify on pertinent records pertainingto this case. And while we did admit the existence of several documents which transpired during theproceedings in this case, there are also several details which are indirect matters which bear, which havean importance in the proceedings.Mr. Roy. If I may, Your Honor. Perhaps, Counsel would be kind enough to request forstipulation likewise.Ms. Roxas. Okay. May we...The Presiding Officer. Point of order.You cannot stipulate. Proceed to direct the questions to the Witness.Ms. Roxas. Thank you, Your Honor.