THE prosecution expects documentary records rather than dramatic eyewitness testimony to become increasingly important as Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s impeachment trial moves deeper into the financial evidence on her alleged unexplained wealth.
House prosecutor Terry L. Ridon of Bicol Saro Party-list stressed over the weekend the evidentiary value of written records during the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City as the prosecution prepares to present financial witnesses beginning this week.
“Kasi minsan ‘yun pong incontrovertible evidence hindi naman nagmumula dun sa eyewitness eh, hindi ho ba?” Ridon said.
The Senate impeachment court is entering the document-heavy phase of Article II, with the Anti-Money Laundering Council, banks, insurance companies and the Bureau of Internal Revenue expected to present records involving Duterte, her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, and companies in which they have financial interests.
Ridon said the absence of a witness personally recounting every transaction does not necessarily diminish the importance of records that could establish what actually occurred.
“Minsan ‘yun pong incontrovertible evidence nagmumula kung ano ho yung nakatala, ano ‘yung nakasulat dun sa maliit na font na nakasulat ho dun sa ilan pong mga dokumento,” Ridon pointed out.
The prosecution has already presented records concerning real properties and firearms under Article II and is now moving to financial documents that prosecutors intend to compare with the assets and net worth declared in Duterte and Carpio’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.
The next phase is expected to involve transaction summaries, bank accounts, insurance and investment records, tax information and other financial documents that senator-judges will have to examine together rather than in isolation.
Ridon acknowledged that documentary presentations may lack the drama of testimony from witnesses with personal accounts of alleged wrongdoing, but maintained that records could establish facts more definitively.
“Pero minsan ho kasi sa mga dokumento ho natin nakikita yung katotohanan, hindi ba? Speaking in general sense para di na ako ma sub judice muli. hindi ba?” Ridon said.
Article II accuses Duterte of amassing unexplained wealth, failing to fully and truthfully disclose her and her spouse’s assets, liabilities and net worth and continuing business and financial interests while serving as vice president.
The prosecution is expected to ask the impeachment court to assess the financial records cumulatively against Duterte’s declared wealth, while the defense will have the opportunity to challenge their admissibility, interpretation and evidentiary weight.
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