(Screenshot from Senate livestream)
The House prosecution panel on Friday questioned whether Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team could effectively challenge findings of at least Php 817.87 million in alleged unexplained wealth, citing the absence of a financial expert among its 24 listed witnesses.
During a press briefing at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City, private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan said the prosecution had reviewed the defense’s witness list but found no one specifically tasked with explaining the financial discrepancies identified during the impeachment trial.
“Nakita namin sa list of witnesses na wala silang linista na witness na mag-e-explain ng discrepancy. Wala yata silang maitapat sa aming witness na si Atty. Cabrera,” Kapunan said.
Kapunan was referring to forensic accounting expert Alexander Cabrera, who earlier presented findings of at least Php 817.87 million in alleged unexplained wealth and undeclared assets involving Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, from 2022 to 2025.
Cabrera testified that the amount could reach Php 1.5 billion under a broader computation that includes additional financial discrepancies and assets not covered by his initial assessment.
His findings were based on bank records, tax documents, corporate filings and Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs).
Kapunan maintained that Cabrera’s conclusions were supported by financial documents presented before the Senate impeachment court.
“So, the expert witness that we presented did not give opinions based on thin air. ‘Yung expert po namin nagbigay ng opinion based on records na pinag-aralan,” she said.
The prosecution has raised questions about discrepancies involving Duterte’s declared assets, reported income, bank balances and business interests.
The defense, however, has disputed Cabrera’s conclusions and challenged the prosecution’s interpretation of the financial records.
Despite Kapunan’s criticism of the defense’s witness list, Duterte’s lawyers may still contest the allegations through cross-examination, documentary evidence and legal arguments.
Senate admits key prosecution evidence
Meanwhile, Kapunan welcomed the Senate impeachment court’s decision to admit key documentary evidence submitted by the House prosecution panel under Article II, which concerns allegations of unexplained wealth.
Presiding Officer Senator Francis Escudero issued a 22-page order Thursday resolving the prosecution’s formal offer of documentary evidence.
The court rejected the defense’s general objection that documents obtained through subpoenas constituted an impermissible “fishing expedition” or should be excluded because they were not attached to the original impeachment complaint.
However, the court restricted the use of financial records covering 2007 to 2021 to establishing Duterte’s financial position before she assumed the vice presidency on June 30, 2022.
Kapunan said the ruling cleared the way for the defense to begin presenting its case when the trial resumes on Monday, November 9.
“’Yung order on admissibility of our evidence, ang magandang nangyari diyan, in-admit lahat ng evidence ng prosecution ng presiding officer. So yun ang dalawang orders ng presiding officer at wala nang obstacle para magprisinta dapat ang defense,” she said.
Kapunan also rejected the defense’s argument that financial documents should have been attached to the original impeachment complaint.
She explained that a complaint is required to establish the essential allegations, or ultimate facts, rather than include every supporting document.
“Ang isang impeachment complaint, alam natin lahat niyan, hindi naman kailangan lahat ng ebidensya ay i-attach sa complaint,” Kapunan said.
She added that supporting documents are considered evidentiary facts that may be presented during the proceedings.
Kapunan likewise defended the impeachment court’s authority to issue subpoenas requiring the production of financial records.
“That is the nature of the beast. ‘Yan ang ibig sabihin ng subpoena. Mag-produce kayo ng dokumento para malaman natin kung totoo man or hindi ang alegasyon ng prosecution,” she said.
According to Kapunan, the financial records covering Duterte’s earlier years are relevant to establishing a baseline for assessing her income, assets and net worth during the period covered by the impeachment charge.
She maintained that the court’s ruling supports the prosecution’s position that the financial documents were properly obtained and offered as evidence.
Defense set to present its case
Article II, involving allegations of unexplained wealth, remains the sole impeachment charge against Duterte.
The Vice President’s defense team is scheduled to begin presenting evidence before the Senate impeachment court on Monday, November 9.
While the prosecution maintains that its financial findings are supported by documentary evidence, the defense continues to dispute the allegations.
The admission of evidence does not, by itself, establish the truth of the allegations or determine Duterte’s liability. The Senate impeachment court must still evaluate the evidence and arguments of both sides before reaching a verdict.
