Private prosecutor James Bryan Ibrahim Alih assured witness Eunice Sumatra, manager of the Land Bank of the Philippines San Pedro-Davao City branch, that he and defense counsel CJ Narvasa were not “fighting” despite their tense exchange during the 34th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Tuesday.
Alih sought to lighten the mood after an apparent exchange with the defense, as Narvasa repeatedly objected to the prosecution’s identification and authentication of bank documents involving Duterte’s account.
“Madam witness, are you okay? Medyo nahihirapan? Inom po kayo ng tubig. Hindi po kami nag-aaway. Talagang ganun maglambingan ’yung mga abogado,” Alih told Sumatra.
Sumatra, the branch manager, was the prosecution’s first bank official witness in its presentation of financial records for Article II of the impeachment complaint, which accuses Duterte of amassing wealth disproportionate to her lawful income and failing to fully and truthfully disclose her assets, liabilities and business interests in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).
The prosecution plans to present 13 witnesses from eight banks to authenticate records involving Duterte and her husband, Atty. Manases “Mans” Carpio.
Alih said the records cover 30 bank accounts with combined year-end balances exceeding P190 million.
The financial records are being presented to support the prosecution’s allegations of unexplained wealth against Duterte.
