A defense witness admitted during impeachment proceedings on Thursday, November 12, that Atty. Manases “Mans” Carpio, husband of Vice President Sara Duterte, purchased Nike shoes not only for young basketball players who won a tournament in Malaysia, but also for their accompanying parents and guardians.
The revelation emerged during cross-examination by private prosecutor Atty. Reynaldo Robles, who questioned whether the ₱256,882.50 credit card purchase aligns with the modest lifestyle requirements mandated for public officials and their families.
Showing photographs of the group and the retail purchase from Kuala Lumpur, Robles pointed out that at least 24 pairs of shoes were bought—more than double the number of the 11 student-athletes who represented the country.
”So hindi exactly tama na para dun sa mga bata lang yung sapatos. Tama po ba?” Robles asked.
”Tama po, correct po,” defense witness Chadrin Parian replied.
During redirect examination, Parian confirmed that the remaining pairs were given to parents and guardians who traveled with the team.
Parian, testifying to clarify the quarter-million-peso transaction, stated he personally witnessed Carpio pay for the items as a gesture of appreciation after the team won the tournament.
”Siguro nasiyahan siya sa outcome na champion ang mga bata,” Parian said, describing Carpio as a team sponsor and manager.
Parian noted that team members and their families often relied on shared sponsorships for travel and gear due to financial constraints, though he admitted he could not personally afford a comparable expense.
”₱256,000. Hindi ko po kaya yan,” the witness answered when asked if he could match the expenditure.
Invoking Section 1, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution and Section 4(h) of Republic Act No. 6713—the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees—Robles pressed the witness on the legality and ethical implications of the spending.
The law mandates that public officials and their families lead modest lives and avoid ostentatious displays of wealth.
”Ito po bang ganitong paggastos ng ₱256,000 para manlibre ng sapatos, ito ba ay halimbawa ng isang kapamilya ng public official na namumuhay ng simple at payak?” Robles asked.
Presiding Officer Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero directed the prosecutor to reserve legal arguments for the summation, but ultimately overruled a defense objection, allowing the inquiry to proceed. The cross-examination also scrutinized Parian’s credibility as a witness, touching on his friendship with Carpio and multiple overseas trips with the team.
Parian maintained that he appeared in court simply to testify on the transaction pursuant to a subpoena.