The House prosecution team has maintained that it has sufficient evidence to pursue the unexplained wealth allegations against Vice President Sara Duterte in her impeachment trial, citing financial records and expert testimony.

Atty. Jay Tolosa, spokesperson for the House prosecution team, said in an interview on DZRH’s Damdaming Bayan that expert testimony placed the estimated value of Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth at between ₱8.17 million and ₱1.5 billion.

Tolosa said the prosecution decided to focus on the unexplained wealth article after reviewing bank records, financial transactions and insurance documents that he described as crucial evidence.

“After makita lahat, it’s the time that we were able to assess the evidences and we determined that na it’s best na we focus on it [unexplained wealth],” Tolosa said.

He said narrowing the proceedings to one article of impeachment was a strategic decision intended to expedite the trial and avoid potential delays, particularly as Duterte’s defense team has lined up more than 90 witnesses.

Tolosa stressed that the decision did not mean the prosecution lacked evidence for the other articles of impeachment, including allegations involving grave threats and confidential funds.

He said evidence gathered for those allegations could still be used to pursue accountability through separate legal proceedings.

To recall, a case involving the grave threats allegations is pending before a regional trial court, while a case concerning the confidential funds issue remains before the Office of the Ombudsman.

“Hindi naman nasayang yung ginugol na oras para sa grave threats and confidential funds dahil yung mga ebidensya na nakalap natin, na-ipresenta natin diyan ay pwede pa naman nating gamitin yan to hold the vice president accountable,” Tolosa said,

He also explained that the unexplained wealth allegations were retained because the prosecution had obtained access to documents that had previously been blocked at the respondent’s request but were allowed in the impeachment proceedings.

Tolosa said the prosecution was prepared to respond to whatever evidence the defense might present, which has at least 90 witnesses lined up for the vice president’s trial.

Watch the full exclusive interview below: