House prosecutors may submit their formal offer of evidence against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte before the Oct. 23 deadline to help move forward the remaining proceedings in her Senate impeachment trial.
Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua, a House prosecutor, said Saturday that the prosecution was preparing the submission after formally resting its case on Oct. 13, a day after its final witness completed his testimony.
The Senate impeachment court gave prosecutors 10 days, or until Oct. 23, to formally offer documentary and object evidence supporting Article II, which involves allegations of unexplained wealth.
“Kung maibibigay po natin nang mas maaga, the better,” Chua said at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.
The formal offer identifies the exhibits prosecutors want the impeachment court to admit and consider. The defense will have 10 days from receipt to submit its comments and objections.
The prosecution’s final witness, forensic accounting expert Alexander Cabrera, testified on Oct. 9 and concluded his testimony on Oct. 12.
Cabrera said his examination of available financial records identified approximately P817.87 million in allegedly unexplained wealth involving Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio, from 2022 to 2025. He added that the amount could reach P1.5 billion under less conservative assumptions.
His findings drew on bank records, income tax returns, insurance documents, corporate filings and Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs).
Duterte has denied wrongdoing, while her defense disputes the allegations.
The impeachment court on Oct. 13 also accepted the prosecution’s withdrawal of three articles involving alleged misuse of confidential funds, bribery and grave threats, leaving the unexplained-wealth allegation under Article II as the sole remaining charge.
Chua said narrowing the trial to one article should help prevent further delays.
“This time maiksi na lang eh, dahil ang magiging ano na lang dito, ‘yung Article II. So wala akong nakikitang dahilan para humaba pa,” he said.
The Senate impeachment trial is scheduled to resume on Nov. 9, when Duterte’s defense team is expected to begin presenting its evidence, subject to the court’s resolution of the prosecution’s formal offer.
Photo courtesy of Inquirer.net
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