(DC file photo)
The House prosecution team is preparing to examine a prenuptial agreement that Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense may present during her impeachment trial to determine the document’s authenticity and legal validity.
According to House prosecution spokesperson Robert Ace Barbers, prosecutors must establish whether the agreement was signed before Duterte’s marriage to her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio.
Barbers emphasized that the existence of a prenuptial agreement would not automatically disprove allegations of unexplained wealth against the vice president.
The prosecution is expected to examine the document’s signing date, authenticity and provisions governing the ownership and separation of assets between the couple.
The agreement could play a significant role in determining which properties may be considered Duterte’s personal assets and which fall under the couple’s marital property arrangements.
However, the prosecution maintained that the origin of the assets and whether they were properly declared in accordance with existing laws remain separate issues.
The impeachment trial is scheduled to resume on November 9, when Duterte’s defense team is expected to begin presenting its evidence and arguments.
Proceedings will focus on Article 2, the remaining article of impeachment, which involves allegations of unexplained wealth against the vice president.
The defense is expected to submit documents and other evidence to challenge the allegations raised by the House prosecution team.
Meanwhile, prosecutors emphasized that any evidence presented must undergo careful examination to establish its relevance and evidentiary weight in the impeachment proceedings.
The possible submission of a prenuptial agreement does not, by itself, establish whether the allegations against Duterte are true or unfounded.
The impeachment court will ultimately evaluate the evidence and arguments presented by both sides before reaching a decision on the remaining article of impeachment.
