House Prosecutor Rep. Terry Ridon said the prosecution panel is ready to begin presenting evidence and witnesses for Article II of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, which centers on allegations of unexplained wealth.
In an exclusive DZRH Isyung Pambayan interview, Ridon said the initial witnesses will include former Sandiganbayan Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang and representatives from the Office of the Ombudsman and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), who are expected to authenticate SALNs and other financial documents involving Duterte and her husband, Atty. Manases Carpio.
The prosecution is also set to present bank records, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) documents, and other financial evidence. Ridon said the panel is still reviewing and marking documents, including information from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).
Ridon said the prosecution is also considering inviting or issuing a subpoena for Carpio to provide details regarding the allegations against his wife.
“Kasama na rin po si Atty. Carpio doon sa pinag-iisipan din po ng prosecution na mga imbitahan at masubpoena para makapagbigay po ng mga particular details dito po sa mga alegasyon po na hindi maipaliwanag na yaman ng kanyang asawa,” Ridon said.
He said the prosecution has yet to determine a specific amount involved in the alleged unexplained wealth, noting that the AMLC had previously cited ₱6.7 billion in total transactions and ₱4.4 billion in net inflows involving the Duterte-Carpio accounts.
Ridon said the prosecution aims to complete its presentation of evidence by the first or second week of October, allowing the defense to present its witnesses and evidence from mid-October through November.
He added that the panel will focus on the most significant witnesses and documents to avoid unnecessarily prolonging the trial, saying, “Kailangan po maging masinsin lang po kami doon po sa presentasyon ng pinakamahalaga ng mga testimonya, ng mga pinakamahalaga pong mga ebidensya.”
