Sara Duterte defense lacks counter-witness on P817M asset gap — Kapunan

MANILA, Philippines — The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio has failed to present an expert witness to counter the financial findings of the prosecution panel, lawyer Lorna Kapunan said Saturday.

Kapunan, a counsel for the House prosecutors, expressed surprise after examining the list of 25 defense witnesses submitted to the Senate impeachment court, noting that none appear equipped to rebut the testimony of forensic financial audit expert Alexander Cabrera.

“Nakakapagtaka nga… kasi nakita namin sa list of witnesses na wala silang linista na witness na mag-e-explain the discrepancy, wala silang maitapat sa aming witness na si Atty. Cabrera,” Kapunan said in a news conference.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Kapunan says Sara Duterte is true bully, not Sison who’s just doing job

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

(It’s puzzling…because we saw the list of witnesses and they didn’t list a witness who will explain the discrepancy. They don’t have anyone to match our witness Atty. Cabrera).

Cabrera’s comprehensive analysis of the financial records of the Vice President, her husband Manases Carpio, and their associated businesses revealed a conservative estimate of ₱817 million in undeclared assets.

Upon clarificatory questioning by Senate President and impeachment court presiding officer Francis Escudero, Cabrera noted that the unexplained wealth could reach between ₱1.5 billion and ₱1.6 billion.

Kapunan stressed that Cabrera’s conclusions were strictly based on bank records, insurance policies, investments, and business earnings subpoenaed by the court.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Kapunan slams ‘tutorial’: Is the defense confusing the public?

“The expert witness that we presented did not give opinions based on thin air. ‘Yung expert po namin nagbigay ng opinion based on records na pinag-aralan,” she added.

Article continues after this advertisement

Duty to explain

Kapunan reiterated that the burden now lies with the Vice President to explain the stark disparities between her sworn Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) and her actual financial footprint.

“Ang mga kailangan ipaliwanag ni VP—in summary, sa SALN, ano ang sinasabi ng record? Ang idiniklara laban sa record ng assets? Ang tanong, Madam Vice President, tugma ba ang sinumpaan sa record mo?” Kapunan asked.

(Here is what the Vice President needs to explain—in summary, regarding the SALN (Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth), what do the records show? What was declared versus the record of assets? The question is, Madam Vice President, does your sworn statement match your records?)

She dismissed potential defense claims shifting fault to administrative staff, reminding Duterte-Carpio of her legal background and the solemnity of a sworn declaration.

“’Wag niyang sabihin, ‘Eh hindi ako naman ang gumawa. Accountant ko naman ang gumawa ng SALN, pinirmahan ko lang.’ Hindi pwedeng ganun lang, Madam Vice President. First, you’re a lawyer. You should know the importance of a signed and sworn document, the importance of your signature,” Kapunan warned.

(She can’t tell ‘I didn’t do it. It’s my accountant who did the SALN, I just signed it.’ It’s can’t be just that…}

“Pinapatunayan mo na ang pinirmahan mo ay the truth and nothing but the truth. Under oath ‘yan.”

(You pledge that what you signed is the truth and nothing but the truth, you were under oath)

Declining witness

The prosecution’s observation comes amid developments in the defense’s strategy. Of the 25 requested witnesses, former law dean Ralph Sarmiento has formally declined to testify and asked the impeachment court to recall the subpoena issued to him.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

The impeachment trial continues as the defense prepares to formally open its presentation of evidence.