THE House prosecution on Friday questioned Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s ability to dispute findings of at least P817.87 million in alleged unexplained wealth, saying none of the 24 witnesses listed by her defense appeared prepared to explain the financial discrepancies uncovered during her impeachment trial.
House private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan said the prosecution had reviewed the defense’s witness list but found no expert who could directly challenge the financial analysis presented by forensic accounting expert Alexander Cabrera.
“Nakita namin sa list of witnesses na wala silang linista na witness na mag-e-explain ng discrepancy,” Kapunan said at a press briefing.
“Wala yata silang maitapat sa aming witness na si Atty. Cabrera,” she added.
Cabrera, a lawyer and former chairman of PwC Isla Lipana & Co., earlier estimated at least P817.87 million in alleged unexplained wealth and undeclared assets involving Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, from 2022 to 2025.
He said the amount could reach P1.5 billion under a broader calculation that includes additional financial discrepancies and assets excluded from his original findings.
His analysis was based on bank records, tax documents, corporate filings and Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs).
Kapunan defended Cabrera’s findings, saying his conclusions were supported by financial records presented during the trial.
“So the expert witness that we presented did not give opinions based on thin air,” Kapunan said.
“‘Yung expert po namin nagbigay ng opinion based on records na pinag-aralan,” she added.
The prosecution has questioned discrepancies between Duterte’s declared assets, reported income, bank balances and business interests.
The defense has disputed Cabrera’s conclusions and challenged the prosecution’s interpretation of the financial documents.
Although Kapunan questioned the absence of a comparable expert on the defense’s witness list, Duterte may still challenge the prosecution’s findings through cross-examination, documentary evidence and legal arguments.
Article II, involving allegations of unexplained wealth, is the sole remaining impeachment charge against Duterte.
Her defense is scheduled to begin presenting evidence before the Senate impeachment court on Monday, Nov. 9.
metrosundaily
