By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — House prosecutors will begin presenting evidence Monday to support allegations of unexplained wealth against Vice President Sara Duterte, with Representatives Terry Ridon and Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno taking the lead in arguing the case under Article II of the impeachment complaint.
Ridon said Thursday that he and Diokno would take turns presenting documentary evidence and making legal arguments as the prosecution seeks to establish its allegations against Duterte.
The prosecution has asked the Senate impeachment court to subpoena three witnesses whose testimony is expected to cover public accountability, Duterte’s financial disclosures and corporate records.
They are retired Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang; lawyer Karen Batu, identified by Ridon as officer-in-charge of the Office of the Ombudsman’s records division; and Securities and Exchange Commission Company Registration and Monitoring Department Director Gerardo F. Del Rosario.
Cabotaje-Tang is expected to discuss principles involving public accountability and integrity in government, including legal issues surrounding undisclosed wealth and prohibited business interests.
Batu is expected to testify on Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, particularly documents filed with the Office of the Ombudsman.
Del Rosario, meanwhile, is expected to authenticate corporate records that the prosecution intends to submit as evidence.
The prosecution expects Cabotaje-Tang to testify first, followed by Batu and Del Rosario, although Ridon said the order could still change depending on how the proceedings unfold.
Additional witnesses could also be called from the Bureau of Internal Revenue, banks and the Philippine National Police firearms division to identify and authenticate documents relevant to the allegations.
Ridon said prosecutors already possess tax records involving Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, as well as bank records associated with the couple and their companies.
The impeachment court has also given Duterte’s defense 15 days to respond to 104 requests for admission covering bank accounts and other records. Any matters admitted by the defense would no longer require further witness testimony, although the period granted for the response will not prevent the prosecution from proceeding with its evidence presentation.
Ridon said prosecutors had prepared for the possibility that the defense would contest the requests and were aiming to complete their presentation on Article II by the first or second week of October.
The prosecution could also decide not to call some of its listed witnesses if the evidence already presented is deemed sufficient to establish its case, he said.
As of Sept. 10, prosecutors were still marking additional documentary evidence and preparing their witnesses and exhibits ahead of Monday’s scheduled opening presentation.
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