THE House impeachment prosecution on Monday said it was preparing to question more witnesses for Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s defense, including local officials and a corporate lawyer expected to testify about disputed properties and business interests.
House lead prosecutor Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro said the defense was expected to present Island Garden City of Samal Assessor Engr. John Kenneth Enumerables, Davao City Accountant Vingelin Bajan and Matina Crossing Barangay Chairperson Cindy Colina following the testimony of Davao City Assessor Engr. Jaime Adalin.
“And then of course, for tomorrow, we are anticipating the presentation of the Samal City engineer. Sana hindi na ito ‘most probably,’” Luistro said at a post-trial press conference.
She was referring to Adalin’s testimony about a disputed Davao City property registered under Duterte’s husband, lawyer Manases Carpio.
The prosecution questioned Adalin’s reliance on matching property values and locations without conclusively establishing that the property declared in Duterte’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) was the same parcel covered by the land title.
“Kasi kapag sinabi mong ‘most probably,’ ibig sabihin hindi ka sure, nanghuhula ka,” Luistro said.
Enumerables is expected to testify about tax declarations and property maps involving another disputed property in Samal registered under Carpio, which the prosecution alleges was not properly disclosed in Duterte’s SALNs.
Bajan is expected to present payroll records and other documents concerning Duterte’s salary during her years in Davao City, while Colina is expected to clarify the official name and boundaries of Matina Crossing.
Luistro said the defense also planned to present Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay, corporate counsel of GenCorp Industries Inc. and Metro City Chow Foods Corp.
Balucanag-Punay’s appearance was postponed because of a scheduled magnetic resonance imaging examination.
The lawyer is expected to testify about corporate records, including general information sheets and audited financial statements covering 2022 to 2025.
Both companies figured in the prosecution’s evidence concerning Duterte’s reported business interests and financial disclosures.
The prosecution earlier presented corporate and government records to question Duterte’s business interests and alleged involvement in private enterprises while serving as vice president.
Luistro said the prosecution was ready to examine the defense witnesses and challenge their testimony against the financial and property records already presented to the Senate impeachment court.
The defense began presenting evidence Monday against Article II, the remaining impeachment charge involving at least P817 million in alleged undeclared assets and unexplained wealth.
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