HOUSE prosecutors aim to finish presenting evidence on Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth by the first or second week of October, House prosecutor Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said Saturday, adding that this could help the Senate finish the impeachment trial before December.
At the September 12 Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City, Ridon said completing the wealth presentation within that period would help the trial move on to the defense’s presentation.
The first week of October was the prosecution’s preferred target, he said. “Yung latest po would be the end of the second week,” he added.
Ridon connected that schedule to the longer hearing days planned for October, when the Senate is due to devote whole days to the impeachment proceedings. “So around this time, meron na po mga whole day proceedings,” he noted.
Under the schedule announced by the Senate Impeachment Court, whole-day impeachment hearings are set for October 1–2, October 5–9, and October 12–15. September hearings remain scheduled for mornings, alongside budget and legislative work.
“So hopefully matapos po namin within those dates at makasulong na po towards defense presentations para siyempre ang targets ng Senate Impeachment Court to wind up before December would be actually achievable,” Ridon said.
The unexplained wealth article is due to open on September 14. Ridon said the prosecution had completed its presentations on grave threats and confidential fund misuse and was preparing witnesses and records for the next phase.
Ridon said prosecutors were still preparing the large volume of documents sent by banks and financial institutions. Marking those records for use in the case was not yet finished. “Actually hindi pa nga tapos ang marking po namin,” he said.
The expected presentation includes witnesses on public accountability, SALNs, company records and tax documents, along with bank records and other material relevant to the couple’s holdings.
Asked about further financial information, Ridon said any additional reports from the Anti-Money Laundering Council would be reflected in testimony. He did not disclose what those reports might contain, saying the public should wait for the relevant presentation.
metrosundaily
