House prosecution spokesperson and Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong expressed pessimism regarding Vice President Sara Duterte’s physical presence at her upcoming Senate impeachment trial, stating he no longer expects her to address allegations of unexplained wealth in person.
Speaking during a press conference on Thursday, October 29, Adiong remarked that he has abandoned the prospect of Duterte appearing before the senator-judges to clarify her financial records.
“Personally if you ask me, I already gave up the idea that she would attend the hearing and then attend her own trial and explain the hidden wealth or unexplained wealth on her part,” Adiong said.
“I already gave up that idea,” he added.
According to Adiong, the Vice President’s absence would align with a predictable pattern:
“Kasi consistent siya doon eh, hindi siya pupunta,” he noted.
The statements come ahead of the trial’s resumption on November 9, when Duterte’s defense team is scheduled to present counter-evidence. The House prosecution panel is currently moving forward solely with Article II of the complaint, which charges Duterte with amassing unexplained wealth and failing to properly disclose her assets.
Earlier in the proceedings, forensic analyst Alexander Cabrera testified that bank records, tax returns, asset disclosures, and corporate documents from 2022 to 2025 point to at least ₱817.87 million in alleged undeclared assets linked to Duterte and her husband, Atty. Manases “Mans” Carpio.
While Duterte has consistently denied any wrongdoing and her legal team has disputed the financial evidence, Adiong argued that her continued refusal to speak out personally reinforces the prosecution’s position.
“If she continues on evading these questions and not explaining it to the impeachment court, then that would again reinforce our earlier observation that it’s either she evades or she has no sufficient explanation to provide,” Adiong stated.
When questioned about whether the prosecution still hopes for her testimony, Adiong noted that the invitation has long been open without any positive response from the defense.
“Matagal na pong may challenge eh. So the challenge has not been taken. And up to now wala ho tayong nakikitang indication na gusto niyang magpaliwanag,” he added.
Duterte has yet to confirm whether she will take the stand, though the Senate impeachment court previously ruled that her interests are adequately protected by her legal counsel.