ning that they are in a position to explain the financial transactions and official documents presented during the prosecution’s case.
“Of course, there’s always the possibility na bahagi ng kanilang mga testigo ang respondent vice president mismo, kasama na ang kanyang kabiyak na si Attorney Mans Carpio sapagkat totoo naman na sila lamang ang kayang magpaliwanag ng kasagutan kaugnay ng tibay at liwanag ng mga dokumentong naipresinta na ng prosecution,” Luistro explained.
Luistro emphasized that the prosecution is interested in hearing directly from the couple, whose bank accounts, corporate interests and financial declarations have figured prominently in the remaining impeachment charge involving alleged unexplained wealth.
“At sa parte ng prosecution, I wish to express our interest, kami po ay interesadong-interesado na marinig ang kanilang testimonya, sapagkat ito yung kasagutang matagal na nating hinihintay,” Luistro stressed.
The prosecution has concluded presenting evidence under Article II, including testimony from forensic accounting expert Alexander Cabrera, who identified approximately P817.87 million in allegedly unexplained wealth involving Duterte and Carpio from 2022 to 2025.
The defense has disputed the prosecution’s interpretation of the financial records, while its lawyers have yet to publicly confirm whether Duterte or Carpio will personally testify when the defense presentation begins.
“The only difference would be kung nung nauna po, we were preparing for the conduct of direct examination, ngayon po, nabaligtad sapagkat ang pinaghahandaan po natin ay ang pagkro-cross-examination naman ng mga testigo na ilalatag ng depensa,” Luistro explained.
The prosecution chief disclosed that the panel has been reviewing the defense’s pretrial brief and the impeachment court’s pretrial order to anticipate possible testimony and develop questions relevant to the remaining unexplained wealth allegations.
“Kasama po dito, binalikan namin yung pre-trial brief ng defense, yung pre-trial order na na-issue na ng Kagalang-galang na Impeachment Court, upang magkaroon po tayo ng reasonable na anticipation kaugnay ng mga posibleng testimonya na ibibigay ng mga testigo ng ating depensa,” Luistro disclosed.
The prosecution’s documentary evidence includes Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), Income Tax Returns (ITR), corporate filings, bank records and other documents that prosecutors maintain raise questions about Duterte’s financial disclosures and business interests while serving as Vice President.
“And of course, we are ready to conduct our cross-examination on the vice president or on the spouse, Attorney Mans Carpio,” Luistro emphasized.
The Senate impeachment court is scheduled to resume proceedings on Nov. 9 after approving the prosecution’s withdrawal of three articles, leaving Article II as the sole remaining charge that Duterte’s lawyers must answer.
“Puspusan pa rin po ang ating preparation,” Luistro assured, emphasizing that prosecutors are continuing their preparations regardless of which witnesses the defense ultimately decides to present.
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