MANILA, Philippines — House prosecutors plan to present Vice President Sara Duterte’s bank records before the Senate impeachment court this week as they move deeper into the financial evidence under Article II of the impeachment case.
House trial spokesperson Ace Barbers said prosecutors could present the records on Thursday or Friday, as the Senate impeachment court prepares to resume whole-day proceedings on Oct. 1.
“Maganda itong linggong ito dahil baka maipresinte na natin ang bank records ngayong Thursday or Friday,” Barbers said in an interview with True FM on Tuesday.
Article II accuses Duterte of having unexplained wealth, failing to truthfully disclose assets in her statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs) from 2022 to 2024, and failing to divest from private business interests after she became vice president.
The Senate impeachment court earlier authorized subpoenas for peso-denominated bank records involving Duterte, her husband Manases Carpio, and several entities after finding the requested documents prima facie relevant and material to Article II.
More than 1,800 bank, insurance and other financial documents have since undergone marking and processing ahead of their presentation in court.
The prosecution earlier asked the court to require Duterte to authenticate her bank records herself, but the defense opposed the request.
Presiding Officer and Senator-Judge Francis “Chiz” Escudero ruled in favor of the defense, saying the request would effectively compel Duterte to testify against herself and violate her right against self-incrimination under the Bill of Rights.
Meanwhile, prosecutors have offered to enter into stipulations with the defense on the subpoenaed bank records. The arrangement could eliminate the need for as many as 20 bank representatives to testify to authenticate the documents.
