The Senate impeachment court will continue proceedings on Day 25 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, focusing on Article II, which covers allegations of “Unexplained Wealth, False SALNs, and Continued Business Interests.”
The House prosecution panel is set to present Atty. Karen Batu, officer-in-charge of the Records Division of the Office of the Ombudsman, who is expected to testify on Duterte’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) records.
Trial begins
The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte entered its 25th day with 17 senator judges in attendance.
Senator Bong Go led the opening prayer as the Senate impeachment court resumed proceedings. Go said he is “for unity, for healing of this country.”
Atty. Karen Batu takes witness stand as prosecution's witness
Ombudsman records officer Atty. Karen Batu took her oath as a witness. She is set to identify and authenticate Duterte’s SALNs and other relevant Ombudsman records.
Prosecution began its direct examination on the witness
House private prosecutor Atty. James Bryan Ibrahim Alih began the direct examination of Atty. Karen Batu
Batu questioned on Duterte’s business declarations
House private prosecutor Atty. James Bryan Ibrahim Alih asked Ombudsman records officer Atty. Karen Batu whether Vice President Sara Duterte declared businesses without corresponding capital in her SALNs.
Batu said Duterte’s 2007 SALN had no declared stocks or acquisition costs, while her 2008 SALN listed paid stock equity and her 2009 SALN had no declared stocks.
SALNs show no acquisition cost for some businesses
Some businesses linked to Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, Atty. Mans Carpio, had no recorded acquisition costs in their SALNs presented during the impeachment trial on Tuesday, September 15.
The hearing presented Duterte’s declared businesses based on SALN records from 2007 to 2025.
Batu confirms no cash declared in SALNs
Ombudsman records officer Atty. Karen Batu confirmed that Vice President Sara Duterte declared no cash on hand or cash in bank from 2019 to 2025. The information was based on Duterte’s SALNs presented during the impeachment trial on Tuesday, September 15.
Duterte’s net worth reaches ₱98.66 million in 2025 SALN
Atty. Karen Batu of the Office of the Ombudsman confirmed that Vice President Sara Duterte declared a ₱98.66-million net worth in her 2025 SALN.
Her declared net worth rose from ₱7.25 million in 2007 to ₱65.31 million in 2021, ₱71.66 million in 2022, ₱77.51 million in 2023, and ₱88.51 million in 2024.
Batu explains redactions in Duterte’s SALNs
Ombudsman Records Division OIC Atty. Karen Batu explained the redactions in Vice President Sara Duterte’s SALNs from 2007 to 2025.
She said the names and addresses of Duterte’s minor children were required to be redacted.
Ombudsman Records Division OIC Atty. Karen Batu explained the redactions in Vice President Sara Duterte’s SALNs from 2007 to 2025. She said the names and addresses of Duterte’s minor children were required to be redacted.
Impeachment trial goes on recess
The 25th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial was temporarily suspended for a lunch break.
The Senate impeachment court will resume proceedings at 12:45 p.m.
Defense begins cross-examination of Batu
Defense counsel Atty. Justin Nicol Gular began the cross-examination of Ombudsman Central Records Division OIC Atty. Karen Batu
Batu says she has no personal knowledge of Duterte’s SALNs
Ombudsman Central Records Division OIC Atty. Karen Batu confirmed that she has no personal knowledge of Vice President Sara Duterte’s assets, liabilities, net worth, or business interests declared in her SALNs.
She said her knowledge is limited to the information contained in the official documents.
Gular corrects prosecutor over pronoun
A brief moment of laughter occurred during the impeachment trial after defense counsel Atty. Justin Nicol Gular corrected House private prosecutor Atty. James Bryan Ibrahim Alih for referring to Vice President Sara Duterte as “he” during the redirect examination of Atty. Karen Batu.
“For the record, it’s not a he, it’s a she,” Gular said, to which Alih apologized.
Lapid questions penalty for failure to file SALN
Senator-judge Lito Lapid questioned the penalty for failing to file a Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), after Atty. Karen Batu said it may constitute a violation of Republic Act 6713.
Lapid also asked whether politicians actually submit truthful SALNs, prompting Batu to say, “Ako po, nagsu-submit po ako ng totoong SALN, Your Honor.”
Impeachment trial adjourns
The 25th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial formally adjourned on Tuesday, September 15.
The hearing will resume on Wednesday, September 16, at 10 a.m.
