House prosecution panel spokesperson and Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong criticized the basis used by the defense’s first witness to identify a real estate property linked to Vice President Sara Duterte’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, November 9, Adiong argued that relying on matching assessed and fair market values is insufficient to prove the property is identical to the one declared in the SALN.
He pointed out that Davao City Assessor Engineer Jaime Adalin could not definitively make the claim without comparing it against other properties in the area.
“There’s no basis for the assessor to 100% claim that this is one and the same property because he has not seen all the other properties within the area,” Adiong said.
Adalin had taken the stand as the initial defense witness when the impeachment trial resumed, presenting records concerning properties tied to Duterte’s husband, Atty. Manases “Mans” Carpio.
Meanwhile, the defense continues to present evidence and witnesses to counter the allegations brought forward by the House.