Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura is set to return to the witness stand on Tuesday as the defense continues its cross-examination in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Defense counsel Mark Vinluan is expected to resume questioning Buenaventura on matters involving Article II of the impeachment case, which accuses Duterte of accumulating unexplained wealth.
After the defense completes its cross-examination, the prosecution and defense will be given an opportunity to conduct redirect and recross examinations, respectively.
The senator-judges will then be allowed to raise questions or make interjections.
₱4.4 BILLION IN COVERED, SUSPICIOUS TRANSACTIONS
During Monday’s proceedings, the Senate impeachment court allowed Buenaventura to testify about the bank transactions of Duterte and her husband, Manases “Mans” Carpio.
Buenaventura testified that at least ₱4.4 billion in covered and suspicious transactions had been recorded in accounts linked to Duterte and Carpio.
Of the total, ₱1.63 billion represented inflows, while ₱1.3 billion represented outflows. Another ₱1.4 billion involved transactions for which the direction of the funds could not be determined.
The figures presented in court refer to covered and suspicious transactions identified by the AMLC and do not, by themselves, establish that the amounts constitute unexplained wealth.
COURT ALLOWS TESTIMONY ON BANK RECORDS
Senate impeachment court Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero said the laws protecting the confidentiality of bank transactions are not absolute, particularly in the context of the AMLC’s functions.
Buenaventura’s testimony on the bank records was allowed as the impeachment court examined allegations involving Duterte’s wealth and financial transactions.
₱319 MILLION LINKED TO CALE88 FOODS
Buenaventura also confirmed that Cale88 Foods Corporation, a company linked to Carpio, received approximately ₱319 million in funds from China and Hong Kong.
The testimony is part of the prosecution’s presentation of financial records in support of the allegations under Article II of the impeachment case. The defense is expected to challenge and clarify Buenaventura’s testimony when cross-examination resumes Tuesday.
