Office of the Ombudsman Central Records Division Officer-in-Charge, Atty. Karen Batu took the witness stand as the prosecution’s second witness for Article II during the 25th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Tuesday, September 15.
House private prosecutor Atty. James Bryan Ibrahim Alih presented Batu to testify on Ombudsman records relevant to the prosecution’s allegations of unexplained wealth against Duterte.
According to Alih, Batu’s testimony is expected to establish the reported increase in the declared net worth of Duterte and her husband in their Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), from ₱7.2 million in 2007 to ₱98 million in 2025.
The prosecution also said Batu’s testimony would address the absence of declared foreign currency and cash on hand in Duterte’s SALNs.
Article II of the impeachment complaint centers on allegations of unexplained wealth, false SALNs, and continued business interests involving the Vice President.
The prosecution is expected to use the Ombudsman records identified by Batu to support its claims regarding Duterte’s declared assets and financial disclosures.
