VP impeachment trial: Defense objects to AI-generated image of P125 million in cash

The legal defense team for Vice President Sara Duterte raised sharp objections during the 16th day of the Senate impeachment trial as the prosecution panel used artificial intelligence (AI) to demonstrate visually what ₱125 million in cash looks like.

The controversy erupted after private prosecutor Amando Ligutan presented AI-generated renderings depicting the volume of confidential funds allegedly withdrawn by Office of the Vice President (OVP) special disbursing officer Gina Acosta. The prosecution showcased images illustrating 1,000 individual bundles of ₱1,000 bills alongside another graphic depicting four large duffel bags allegedly required to carry the sum.

Defense spokesperson Michael Poa argued that the prosecution failed to establish a proper evidentiary foundation for introducing synthetic visuals into the trial record.

“Of course, we had to object... because we had to ask at least for the proper foundation as to why AI was being used,” Poa told reporters, emphasizing concerns over technical hallucination and distortion. “We just had to register our objection because, as we know, AI sometimes does not accurately depict the true appearance of things.”

Poa stressed that the defense's concern centers on accuracy and potential bias, cautioning that synthetic representations risk exaggerating physical proportions or misrepresenting real-world facts to the tribunal.

Responding to the defense's pushback, prosecutor Toolosa defended the usage, clarifying that the images were explicitly framed as hypothetical visual aids rather than photographs of the actual physical funds. Ligutan noted that relying on AI was a practical necessity, as the prosecution could not produce ₱125 million in physical currency inside the trial chamber.

“We are not claiming that this was the actual money,” Tolosa explained, noting that the witness confirmed basic similarities between the renders and the physical items used. “It was a visual representation... to give the court a sense of the sheer scale and volume of cash received by the OVP through Ms. Acosta, as well as the types of bags involved.”

Despite the prosecution's explanation, the defense maintains that visual evidence presented before an impeachment court must meet strict standards of accuracy and evidentiary relevance before being admitted. -Paraluman News