SEC Company Registration and Monitoring Department Director and lawyer Gerardo Del Rosario took the witness stand on Monday, September 21, during the 27th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.
Del Rosario was presented as a prosecution witness under Article II, which accuses Duterte of unexplained wealth, false Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), and continued business interests while serving as vice president.
The prosecution had earlier identified Del Rosario as a witness who would authenticate and identify Securities and Exchange Commission records involving companies linked to Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio.
During the proceedings, prosecution lawyer Erwin Matib presented the prosecution’s offer of testimony for Del Rosario, focusing on the business interests and shareholdings allegedly connected to Duterte and Carpio.
“May mga shares of stock at interest sina Vice President Sara Z. Duterte at ang asawa niyang si Atty. Manases Carpio. Ang mga shares of stock at interest na ito ay dapat ideklara sa SALN,” Matib said.
The SEC official’s testimony is expected to establish the corporate records relevant to the prosecution’s allegations and supplement documents previously presented through Office of the Ombudsman records custodian Karen Batu.
The prosecution has been examining Duterte’s declared business interests as part of its Article II case. Earlier testimony established that Duterte’s SALNs listed several business interests, including Metro City Chow Foods Corp. and Gencorp Industries Inc.
The House prosecution has also said SEC records would help establish the corporate links and business interests of Duterte and Carpio as the impeachment court examines the allegations under Article II.
Del Rosario’s appearance comes as the impeachment court continues its examination of Duterte’s alleged business interests and their disclosure in her SALNs.
The prosecution is also expected to present other witnesses and government records concerning alleged transactions involving companies linked to the vice president and her family.
