MANILA – Forensic financial analyst Atty. Alexander Cabrera acknowledged that he did not examine or use documents directly provided by Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, in his financial analysis, explaining that such documents were unavailable.
During the Senate impeachment trial on Monday, October 12, defense lawyer Kristine Ferrer questioned Cabrera about the sources of information he relied upon in preparing his forensic financial report.
“You did not examine or use any document coming from the respondent and her spouse, correct?” Ferrer asked.
Cabrera initially attempted to explain that his team had searched for the documents in the impeachment proceedings.
“Hinanap po namin dun sa impeachment proceedings sa answer—,” Cabrera replied before Ferrer interrupted him.
“I have to stop you, sir, sorry. Kindly respond to my question,” the defense lawyer said.
Cabrera then explained that the documents were not included in the responses submitted during the impeachment proceedings before the House of Representatives and the Senate.
“Wala po kasi. ‘Yan po ‘yung sagot. Wala po kasi dun sa reply na answer po niya sa House tsaka po sa Senate, wala po kasi,” Cabrera said.
Ferrer pressed the witness to confirm whether he had conducted his analysis without using documents originating from Duterte and Carpio.
“So that is a yes? You did not use any document coming from the respondent and her spouse,” Ferrer asked.
“Had there been, I would have used po,” Cabrera responded.
“Just answer the question po,” Ferrer insisted.
The exchange highlighted the defense’s scrutiny of the documents and information used by Cabrera in preparing his forensic financial findings.
Cabrera’s testimony has been part of the prosecution’s presentation concerning the alleged undeclared assets and unexplained wealth of Duterte and her husband.
The defense continued questioning the methodology, sources and supporting records used in his analysis as the impeachment proceedings progressed.
Cabrera maintained that the documents sought by his team were not available in the responses filed during the impeachment proceedings.
