Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon said the prosecution is prepared to begin presenting witnesses and evidence for Article II of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, which involves allegations of unexplained wealth.
Ridon, a member of the prosecution panel, said the first witnesses are expected to include former Sandiganbayan Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang and representatives from the Office of the Ombudsman and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
They are expected to authenticate statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs) and other financial records involving Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio.
The prosecution also plans to present bank records, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) documents and other financial materials. Ridon said the panel continues to review and mark documents, including records and information obtained from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).
The prosecution is likewise considering inviting or subpoenaing Carpio to provide information that could shed light on the allegations involving his wife’s supposed unexplained wealth.
“Kasama na rin po si Atty. Carpio doon sa pinag-iisipan din po ng prosecution na mga imbitahan at masubpoena para makapagbigay po ng mga particular details dito po sa mga alegasyon po na hindi maipaliwanag na yaman ng kanyang asawa,” Ridon said in an radio interview.
Ridon said the prosecution has not yet established a definite amount for the alleged unexplained wealth. He noted, however, that the AMLC had earlier cited ₱6.7 billion in total transactions and ₱4.4 billion in net inflows involving accounts linked to Duterte and Carpio.
The prosecution is targeting the completion of its evidence presentation by the first or second week of October. The defense would then be expected to present its own witnesses and evidence from around mid-October until November.
Ridon said the prosecution intends to concentrate on the most relevant witnesses and pieces of evidence to prevent the proceedings from being unnecessarily prolonged.
“Kailangan po maging masinsin lang po kami doon po sa presentasyon ng pinakamahalaga ng mga testimonya, ng mga pinakamahalaga pong mga ebidensya.”