Metro Manila, Philippines – The prosecution has lined up an ex-Sandiganbayan justice, a director from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and an official from the Office of the Ombudsman as initial witnesses in the allegations of unexplained wealth against Vice President Sara Duterte at the impeachment trial.
Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon, the lead prosecutor in the wealth charge, disclosed the witness list in a press briefing on Thursday, Sept. 10.
Ridon said the prosecution has asked the Impeachment Court to subpoena former Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang, Karen Batu from the ombudsman central records division, and SEC company registration and monitoring department director Gerardo del Rosario on Sept. 14 to 15.
Batu and Del Rosario are on the pre-trial order issued by the court, while Cabotaje-Tang is a new witness identified by the prosecution.
Ridon said the former Sandiganbayan justice will discuss principles governing accountability, integrity in public office, and the mechanisms for addressing undisclosed or unexplained wealth and prohibited business interests.
Meanwhile, Batu will be asked to testify and authenticate ombudsman records concerning the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) of Duterte, while Del Rosario will do the same for records on corporate registrations, ownership or participation, corporate positions, and business interests.
“The testimonies of the foregoing witnesses are material, relevant, and necessary to establish the allegations under Article II of the Articles of Impeachment, including those concerning unexplained wealth, false Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth and continued business interests,” the prosecution’s manifestation read.
The court has yet to confirm if the summons were issued to the three witnesses.
Other witnesses
Ridon also said some personalities who faced the House justice committee, the panel that scrutinized the impeachment complaints against Duterte, will be asked to take the stand as well.
Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua, a prosecution member, previously said the unexplained wealth charge will have up to 25 witnesses, including staunch Duterte critic and former Senator Sonny Trillanes.
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Ridon said there are no hostile witnesses in the next impeachment article, though Second Gentleman Man Carpio may be called upon to testify.
“Pwede po pag-isipan kasi syempre kung halimbawa napapangalanan siya sa ibang bank accounts, kung napapangalanan siya doon sa ilan pong dokumento, edi I think, rightfully, pwede pong maipatawag para maitanong ang katotohanan sa likod ng dokumentong ito. I think that is still at an early stage of our discussions,” said Ridon.
[Translation: It can still be considered because, of course, if, for example, his name appears in other bank accounts or is indicated in certain documents, then I think it would be reasonable for him to be summoned to clarify and tell the truth behind these documents. I think that is still at an early stage of our discussions.]
Ridon said the prosecution is aiming to finish the presentation of evidence for unexplained wealth by mid-October.
