VICE President Sara Z. Duterte’s defense team steps into the spotlight on Monday, November 9, facing the direct task of answering the prosecution’s evidence of at least ₱817.87 million in alleged unexplained wealth — a figure that could widen to ₱1.5 billion under a broader assessment — alongside questions over properties reportedly undeclared in her official financial disclosures.
The House prosecution has already rested its case, presenting land titles, bank records, tax returns, corporate filings, and the forensic analysis of expert witness Alexander Cabrera to build its argument that Duterte’s actual holdings far exceed what she declared in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs).
Key points the defense must address include two properties registered to her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio — a 379‑square‑meter lot in Davao City’s Huna Subdivision acquired in 2024 and a Samal Island property in Kembali Coast — which the prosecution asserts were missing from her SALNs.
National Bureau of Investigation findings have further raised questions about larger, high‑value assets linked to the family, including residential compounds with separate swimming pools, a helipad, and extensive internal roads. Prosecutor Terry Ridon challenged the defense’s scheduled witnesses — particularly local officials from Davao City and Samal Island — to directly clarify who owns these properties if not the Vice President.
Additional evidence before the court includes about ₱424 million in financial transactions recorded during Duterte’s vice presidency, such as ₱41 million withdrawn in under 75 minutes on a single day in August 2024, and discrepancies between her declared net worth and bank deposits, insurance policies, and investments linked to her and her husband.
The Senate Impeachment Court has admitted most of the core financial records and forensic findings, while ruling out certain corporate documents and noting that admission does not equate to proven guilt. Duterte has denied wrongdoing, disputed the characterization of her assets, and maintained her disclosures were accurate. Her defense begins presenting its case at 10 a.m. Monday, with hearings scheduled through November 23.
metrosundaily
