The House prosecution panel on Tuesday formally requested Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team to confirm the authenticity of subpoenaed bank records and verify whether the accounts belong to her, aiming to streamline proceedings on unexplained wealth allegations.
Prosecutors submitted 104 requests for admission to the Senate impeachment court and delivered copies to Duterte’s counsel prior to the day’s session.
Panel member and Akbayan Party-list Representative Chel Diokno explained that the requests target two specific points: the genuineness of bank documents produced under court-issued subpoenas, and whether the accounts are owned by Duterte individually or jointly.
”Hinihiling po namin sa respondent na kumpirmahin, una, kung genuine o tunay ang mga bank records na isinumite ng mga bangko alinsunod sa subpoena duces tecum na inisyu ng impeachment court; at ikalawa, kung ang mga bank accounts na tinutukoy sa mga records na iyon ay pag-aari ni Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte, individually or jointly with others,” Diokno told the court.
Diokno noted that the Vice President possesses the personal knowledge and means to verify these accounts directly with financial institutions.
”We are not asking the respondent to admit matters that they do not know anything about, or rather that they have no access to,” Diokno said.
He further detailed the required procedure for the defense’s response.
”Kung totoo, aminin; kung hindi totoo, tuwirang tanggihan; kung hindi naman kayang aminin o itanggi nang tapat, sabihin sa ilalim ng panunumpa kung bakit,” he said.
According to Diokno, obtaining these admissions would remove the necessity of calling approximately 15 bank witnesses to authenticate the documents.
”Pero kung walang tunay na dispute, hindi na po natin kailangang gumugol pa ng ilang linggo at magharap ng humigit-kumulang 15 testigo para patunayan ang hindi naman talaga pinagtatalunan,” he said.
The filing follows the prosecution’s acquisition of financial records concerning Duterte and her spouse, Atty. Manases “Mans” Carpio.
Defense counsel Atty. Michael Poa requested a 15-day period to evaluate the filings, citing the significant volume of material. Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero granted the 15-day window while confirming that trial proceedings will resume on Monday, September 14.
Escudero noted he would allow leniency regarding the schedule, permitting prosecutors to present subsequent witnesses for direct examination before the defense conducts cross-examinations.
”Let’s take it from there and see how it will go,” Escudero said.
Escudero also directed both legal teams to utilize Wednesday and Thursday for evidence marking, and ordered prosecutors to submit their intended witness list and proposed stipulations by Wednesday.
Duterte faces impeachment charges over alleged unexplained wealth, non-disclosure of assets, and failure to divest from business interests.
The Vice President and her legal team continue to deny all accusations.