Members of the House prosecution panel welcomed the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office decision to dismiss the complaint filed by Atty. Manases “Mans” Carpio over the disclosure of financial records involving him and his wife, Vice President Sara Duterte.
Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, one of the respondents, said the dismissal was appropriate, arguing that Carpio’s complaint against the House prosecutors and other lawmakers had no legal basis and was motivated by improper considerations.
“Tama lang na ibinasura ng piskalya ang malisyoso at walang batayang kaso ni Mans Carpio laban sa aming House prosecutors at iba pang mambabatas,” Ridon said in a social media post.
Ridon said the prosecutor’s ruling would also clear the way for the House prosecution team to proceed with presenting evidence concerning allegations of unexplained wealth against Duterte.
“Tunay na papaliit na ang mundo ng mag-asawang Duterte-Carpio,” he added.
He ended his post by saying:
“At talagang papunta na tayo sa exciting part.”
The prosecutor’s office issued a 23-page resolution dismissing Carpio’s complaint, which accused the respondents of violating the Bank Secrecy Law, Data Privacy Act, and Anti-Money Laundering Act following the disclosure of financial information during House deliberations on the impeachment complaints against Duterte.
Prosecutors found that the respondents’ actions were undertaken as part of their official duties. The office also determined that there was insufficient evidence to establish the alleged violations and noted that the disclosures served a legitimate purpose in connection with the House impeachment proceedings.
Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua, another member of the prosecution panel, described the dismissal as “very timely,” particularly with the House scheduled to begin presenting evidence next week on the Vice President’s alleged unexplained wealth.
Chua said the ruling eliminates a potential obstacle for witnesses who are expected to testify on the issue.
“And with this, iyong mga testigo na uupo na dinamay nila dito para harass-in, para mapigilan iyong kanilang mga sasabihin sa impeachment, ay wala nang magiging hadlang,” he added.
Aside from Ridon and Chua, the complaint also named House panel lead prosecutor and Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro, Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Representative Leila de Lima, Akbayan Party-list Representative Chel Diokno, ACT Teachers Party-list Representative Antonio Tinio, and Kabataan Party-list Representative Renee Louise Co as respondents.
Other respondents were Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor and Anti-Money Laundering Council Chair Eli Remolona Jr., AMLC Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura, Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Francis Edralin Lim, and Insurance Commissioner Reynaldo Regalado.