Davao City Register of Deeds IV Atty. Kathy Florence Baldonado took the witness stand and was sworn in on Day 32 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.
She testified during the Senate impeachment court’s first whole-day hearing on Oct. 1, as proceedings focused on Article II, which involves allegations of unexplained wealth.
Baldonado is the seventh witness presented by the prosecution in the trial.
During the prosecution’s offer of testimony, House prosecutor Rep. Keith Flores said Baldonado’s testimony would cover property records involving Duterte’s husband, Atty. Manases Carpio.
Among the information the prosecution sought to establish was Carpio’s ownership of a 379-square-meter property in Barangay Matina, Davao City, according to Flores.
Baldonado was the first witness from the Land Registration Authority (LRA) to testify during the whole-day proceedings. Registers of Deeds maintain official records of land titles and transactions within their respective jurisdictions.
Defense counsel Atty. Lindon Bacquel objected to Baldonado’s testimony, arguing that it was irrelevant. However, Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero allowed the prosecution to proceed with her direct examination.
The prosecution is presenting witnesses and documentary evidence under Article II, which alleges that Duterte failed to fully and truthfully disclose her and her spouse’s assets, liabilities, and net worth in their Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), and that she continued to hold business interests while serving as vice president.
