HOUSE impeachment adviser and trial spokesperson Ace Barbers has expressed doubt that Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s defense team has evidence strong enough to challenge the financial records presented by prosecutors in her impeachment trial.
Barbers said the prosecution’s evidence came largely from Duterte’s own financial declarations and official documents, making it difficult for her lawyers to dispute the allegations of alleged unexplained wealth.
“But ako personally, I don’t want again to bind the members of the prosecution team. Parang naniniwala ako walang ebidensya, eh,” Barbers said.
He stressed that this was his personal assessment and not necessarily the position of the entire House prosecution team.
Barbers questioned what additional documents the defense could present to challenge the audited financial statements submitted to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), and the findings of financial forensic expert Alexander Cabrera.
“Dapat ba, eh magpakita sila ng another document para pasinungalingan ‘yung audited financial statement na submitted to the BIR?” he said.
“Dapat ba magpakita rin ba sila ng isa pang SALN na merong nakalagay na doon cash on hand at cash in bank? Kailangan ba magpakita sila ng another financial forensics expert to dispute the findings of Atty. Alex Cabrera?” he added.
During the trial, Cabrera testified that his review of financial records identified approximately P817.87 million in alleged unexplained wealth involving Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio, from 2022 to 2025.
Bank records also showed that Duterte and Carpio had allegedly millions of pesos in combined year-end balances across 26 accounts in eight banks from 2022 to 2025, which prosecutors said raised questions about Duterte’s financial declarations.
Despite his doubts, Barbers said prosecutors were eager to hear the defense’s explanation and examine the evidence it would present.
“Excited din kaming mapakinggan, no, nang sa ganoon eh matuto rin tayo kung ano ba ‘yung kanilang ipipresenta at kung ano ‘yung angulo na kanilang tatahakin para mapasinungalingan lahat ng mga ebidensya na inilatag ng prosecution,” he said.
The House prosecution is pursuing Article II on alleged unexplained wealth after withdrawing three other impeachment articles involving alleged misuse of confidential funds, bribery and grave threats on October 12.
The prosecution submitted its formal offer of evidence on October 21, and the Senate impeachment court will decide which documents and testimonies to admit.
Duterte’s defense team is scheduled to begin presenting its case on November 9.
metrosundaily
