HOUSE impeachment adviser and trial spokesperson Ace Barbers on Tuesday described Vice President Sara Z. Duterte as a supposed billionaire who projects a simple image despite questions about her alleged wealth and financial transactions.
Barbers, a former Surigao del Norte representative and governor, made the remark as he reviewed evidence presented during Duterte’s Senate impeachment trial involving alleged unexplained wealth.
“Ang tagong yaman o hindi maipaliwanag na yaman ng ating pangalawang pangulo, si Vice President Sara Duterte, ay bistado na, ayon sa ating prosecution team,” Barbers said at a press briefing.
“Si VP Sara ay isang simpleng bilyonaryo daw. Pangkarinderya ang drama pero pangbilyonarya ang bulsa,” he added.
Barbers said he wanted the public to understand the evidence presented under Article II, the remaining impeachment charge against Duterte.
“Para po maintindihan nang mabuti ng ating mga kababayan, I will refresh your memory doon sa mga natalakay dito sa impeachment court noong tinatalakay o dini-deliberate itong Article II na ito,” he said.
Barbers cited bank records showing combined year-end balances involving Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio, of about P59 million in 2022, P71 million in 2023, P22 million in 2024 and P39 million in 2025.
He questioned why those amounts did not match the figures reported in Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs).
He also cited forensic accounting expert Alexander Cabrera’s findings of at least P817.87 million in alleged undeclared assets and unexplained wealth from 2022 to 2025.
Cabrera said the amount could reach P1.5 billion under a broader calculation.
Barbers said the prosecution’s evidence would be difficult to dispute because it came from banks, government agencies and Duterte’s own records.
“Ako personally nga, parang para sa akin mahihirapan talaga silang pasinungalingan itong mga dokumentong ito because number one, ’yung dokumentong ’yan ay hindi naman galing sa prosecution. Ito ay galing mismo sa kanila,” he said.
“’Yung records ba ng bangko, magbabago ba ’yan? Meron ba silang ipi-present na witness na sasabihin mali ’yung outstanding balances na iyan?” he asked.
Barbers also questioned Duterte’s business interests and whether she had divested herself of them after becoming vice president.
“Meron bang records of her divesting?” he asked.
Duterte’s defense has disputed the prosecution’s interpretation of the financial records and is expected to begin presenting evidence Nov. 9.
The Senate impeachment court has yet to rule on the remaining charge of unexplained wealth.
metrosundaily
