LIVE UPDATES: Sara Duterte impeachment trial | Oct. 12, 2026
MANILA, Philippines – On Day 38 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, her team is expected to challenge the findings of forensic financial analyst Alexander Cabrera, a prosecution witness who claimed that she and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, had P817.87 million in unexplained wealth from 2022 to 2025. Cabrera presented the findings during his direct examination on Oct. 9 as part of the impeachment trial into Duterte’s alleged misconduct.
READ: ICYMI: Sara Duterte impeachment trial Week 14 highlights
- Cabrera’s report was based on a review of bank and tax records belonging to Duterte, Carpio and their business interests, as well as Duterte’s statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs).
- The defense is expected to rebut the following testimonies of Cabrera: The alleged P817.87 million in unexplained wealth consisted of P207.7 million in undeclared cash, P143.5 million in undeclared personal and real properties, and P111.85 million in undeclared income attributed to Duterte and Carpio;
- The P142.2 million in undeclared income from Cale 88 Foods Corp. and Metro Chow King Food Corp., and P212.63 million from Gencorp Industries Inc., covering 2022 to 2025;
- Cabrera concluded that Duterte’s SALNs from 2022 to 2025 were untruthful, alleging that substantial assets belonging to the vice president and her husband were not reported.
- He also claimed that Duterte continued participating in various businesses while serving as vice president.
- Cabrera said his P817.87-million estimate was based only on the limited documents he examined, excluding records allegedly in the possession of Duterte and Carpio.
- The analyst further argued that the alleged omissions showed a year-on-year pattern of constitutional violations from 2022 to 2025.
- His report also cited possible violations of other laws and regulations, including the National Internal Revenue Code, Republic Act No. 1379 on unexplained wealth, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act./dp
‘NUMBERS DO NOT LIE’
During Senator-judge Lito Lapid’s interjection, Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno emphasized the importance of documentary evidence and financial records in establishing the prosecution’s case on Article II of the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, which covers allegations involving her unexplained wealth. #VPonTrial
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 12, 2026
‘BUMABAGSAK NA YUNG KASO NILA’
WATCH: During the sidelines of the kick-off celebration of the 91st anniversary of the Office of the Vice President, VP Sara Duterte was asked to assess her ongoing impeachment trial. #VPonTrial | @DSampangINQ
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NBI probes Duterte properties as P890,000 asset may be worth P60M
‘ANG MALINIS NA OPISYAL, WALANG TINATAGO.’
Sen. Lito Lapid asked the prosecution what key message the public should take away from the numerous witnesses, documents and figures presented under Article II of the impeachment trial.
Prosecution counsel Chel Diokno said: “Ang pinakapuso ng Article II, sa tingin ko, ito lang po ’yon, ang malinis na opisyal, walang tinatago.”
He added: “At the end of the day, ang paniwala ko, this case is not about VP Sara Duterte as a person. To me, it’s about the trust the people reposed in her.”“It’s really not about her as as person. It’s about leadership, kung tama ba ang pamamahala at lalong lalo na ‘yung katampatan o fitness ng isang mataas na opisyal na manungkulan pa.”
“Pangatlo, it’s not about her as a person. It’s about accountability na kungi kaw ba ay binigyan ng kapangyarihan, lalong lalo na kung pangalawang pangulo ka, at lumalabas na inabuso mo, dapat may pananagutan.” #VPonTrial | @AprBenjaminINQ
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 12, 2026
Defense counsel Kristine Ferrer asks financial analyst Alexander Cabrera about his upcoming trip to Europe and if he has packed his luggage. #VPonTrial
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 12, 2026
LOOK: Protest movements calling for VP Sara Duterte’s conviction before the Senate Impeachment Court have started to swell as the prosecution team looks to wrap up the presentation of witnesses and documentary evidence.
Akbayan Party-list, one of the groups that organized the rally outside the Senate premises, along Jose W. Diokno Boulevard in Pasay City, said on Monday that their organization had around 2,500 protesters.
There were also 10,000 participants from other civil society groups during the rally, pushing the number of protesters to 12,500.
Also, it appears that Filipino novelty folk song “Gloria Gloria Labandera” has made a return to the political scene as protesters use the song to call out Duterte over her alleged unexplained wealth.
During the rallies over the weekend up to Monday, protesters modified the 1970s song from artist Fred Panopio and replaced “Gloria” with “Sara.”
Gloria, Gloria Labandera was first played during political movements against former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, as allies who backed her ascendancy to Malacañang after former president Joseph Estrada’s ouster eventually called her out for alleged money-laundering activities.
Arroyo, coincidentally, is considered by Duterte as her mentor. #VPonTrial |
: Contributed Photos via @GabrielLaluINQ
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 12, 2026
Defense counsel Kristine Ferrer questioned prosecution witness Alexander Cabrera about credit card purchases by Manases Carpio flagged in his financial report.
Ferrer asked if Cabrera was aware that a P256,000 transaction at a sportswear store in Kuala Lumpur covered sports apparel and other items for his son’s basketball team.
She also asked if he knew that some of Carpio’s credit card expenses were incurred while traveling with a large group whose members did not have Japanese yen and had to use Carpio’s credit card. #VPonTrial
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 12, 2026
WATCH: Sara says allegations vs her, family aim to derail 2028 bid
P256K THE BASKETBALL TEAM OF CARPIO’S SON
Atty. Kristine Ferrer said that the P256,882.50 purchase in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, charged to Atty. Manases Carpio’s credit card was intended for his son’s basketball team.
Forensic financial analyst Atty. Alexander Cabrera said he was unaware of the stated purpose of the purchases. #VPonTrial
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 12, 2026
Financial analyst Alexander Cabrera corrected defense counsel Kristine Ferrer, saying his report on Vice President Sara Duterte’s business interests did not use the word “alleged.”
Ferrer responded that it was the defense’s position. #VPonTrial
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 12, 2026
‘I’M A LATE PACKER PO’
Atty. Kristine Ferrer asked forensic financial analyst Atty. Alexander Cabrera during cross-examination about his planned two- to three-week vacation in Europe and whether he had packed his luggage. #VPonTrial
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 12, 2026
WATCH: Witness tells defense counsel ‘hindi po mahirap basahin ang batas’
P817M unexplained wealth report did not include Sara Duterte’s records
The cross examination of Atty. Alexander Cabrera came to a close at 1:04 p.m. The prosecution opted not to do a redirect examination. #VPonTrial | @keithcINQ
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 12, 2026
Witness corrects Duterte lawyer: No mention of ‘alleged’ in my report
DAY 38
LOOK: Forensic financial analyst Alexander Cabrera undergoes cross-examination by defense lawyer Atty. Kristine Ferrer during Day 38 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s Senate impeachment trial in Pasay City on Monday, October 12.
Cabrera previously testified on Oct. 9 that Duterte and her husband, Atty. Manases Carpio, accumulated P817.87 million in alleged unexplained wealth and undeclared assets between 2022 and 2025. #VPonTrial |
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 12, 2026
‘HAD THERE BEEN, I WOULD HAVE USED PO’
Forensic financial analyst Atty. Alexander CabreraCabrera confirmed he did not examine any documents from Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, Atty. Manases Carpio, as no such documents were available because the spouses did not submit a reply to the House or Senate. #VPonTrial
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 12, 2026
NBI probing links of businessman Jaime Tan Cruz to Dutertes
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“WALA PONG ‘ALLEGED’ SA REPORT KO”
Forensic financial analyst Atty. Alexander Cabrera clarified that his report did not use the word “alleged,” as Atty. Kristine Ferrer moved to the discussion of Vice President Sara Duterte’s business interests, including Gencorp Industries Inc. and Cale88 Foods Corp. #VPonTrial
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 12, 2026
WATCH: Cabrera’s qualifications to assess Sara’s SALNs questioned
‘THE EXAMINATION WAS MADE WITHOUT HEARING THE SIDE OF THE ACCOUNT OWNERS?’
Forensic financial analyst Atty. Alexander Cabrera confirmed that his examination of the bank balances linked to the spouses Vice President Sara Duterte and Atty. Manases Carpio, and former president Rodrigo Duterte was based solely on documents. #VPonTrial
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 12, 2026
Cabrera said he had three weeks to examine the bank records of the VP Sara Duterte and her spouse, Atty. Mans Carpio, but his analysis began as early as July 2026 when he received the SEC and AMLC documents. #VPonTrial | @keithcINQ
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 12, 2026
LOOK: Prosecution witness Alexander Cabrera confirmed that his report on VP Sara Duterte’s alleged undeclared assets and income was based on only documents provided by the prosecution.
He said he did not use documents from Duterte and Carpio. “Had there been, I would have used po.”
He also confirmed that he did not interview either of them, or interview their accountant or auditor. #VPonTrial | @AprBenjaminINQ
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 12, 2026
‘DID IT EVER OCCUR TO YOU THAT YOU MAY BE VIOLATING CONFIDENTIALITY LAW?’
LOOK: Defense counsel Kristine Ferrer questioned prosecution witness Alexander Cabrera on when he was appointed and received financial records for his forensic accounting work.
Cabrera said he accepted the appointment in the first or second week of June 2026. He said he received SALNs from 2022 to 2025, AMLC documents that month, while bank, SEC, and BIR records obtained through subpoenas came in September.
Ferrer asked: “When you received this subpoenaed documents, did it ever occur to you, that you, or the person who provided the documents, the bank officers, the AMLC officers, or the BIR officers may be violating confidentiality law?
Cabrera: “Wala po kung concern po doon. Concern ko lang po yung matanggap po yung documents sa prosecution at ‘yun ang titingnan ko.” #VPonTrial | @AprBenjaminINQ
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 12, 2026
‘I HOPE IT’S THE LAST’
Forensic financial analyst Atty. Alexander Cabrera said his current appearance in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is his first—and hopefully last—as an expert witness in a case involving unexplained or ill-gotten wealth. #VPonTrial
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 12, 2026
‘HINDI PO MAHIRAP BASAHIN YUNG BATAS’
Atty. Kristine Ferrer questioned forensic financial analyst Atty. Alexander Cabrera’s experience in handling cases involving malversation, misuse of public funds, and violations of RA 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Government Employees. #VPonTrial
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 12, 2026
‘YOU STILL CONSIDER YOURSELF AS A FORENSIC ACCOUNTING EXPERT?’
LOOK: Defense counsel Kristine Ferrer asked about prosecution witness Alexander Cabrera’s expertise.
“I can recall your testimony last Friday, you said that you considered yourself as a tax expert and if I may recall, you mentioned something along the lines like, ‘Taxation, yan ng expertise ko talaga.’”
Cabrera: “Taxation, po, because of tax planning, tax structuring, M&A po.”
Ferrer: “Even if you focus your entire career in taxation and only devoted about a year in external audit as a staff accountant, you still consider yourself, sir, as a forensic accounting expert?”
Cabrera: “That’s right.” #VPonTrial | @AprBenjaminINQ
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 12, 2026
Prosec to seek impeach court guidance on formal offer of evidence
‘THAT WAS NOT WAY BACK PO. LAST YEAR LANG PO’
Forensic financial analyst Atty. Alexander Cabrera confirmed that members of the prosecution team, particularly Rep. Chel Diokno, approached him to serve as their forensic expert. #VPonTrial
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 12, 2026
Trial resumed at 10:08 a.m. after the arrival of Sens. Camille Villar and Robin Padilla, joining SP Win Gatchalian, presiding officer Chiz Escudero, Sens. Tito Sotto, Migz Zubiri, Bam Aquino, Ping Lacson, Lito Lapid, Mark Villar, Joel Villanueva, Erwin Tulfo, and Kiko Pangilinan.
Sen. Pia Cayetano also arrived at 10:10 a.m.
Fifteen senator-judges are now inside the session hall upon the arrival of Sens. Risa Hontiveros and Raffy Tulfo at 10:13 a.m. #VPonTrial | @keithcINQ
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 12, 2026
‘JUST DON’T CALL ME HONORABLE’
Defense lawyer Kristine Ferrer tells this to the prosecution team’s witness, forensic financial analyst Atty. Alexander Cabrera, as she begins the cross-examination on the 38th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial. #VPonTrial
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 12, 2026
LOOK: Forensic financial analyst Alexander Cabrera returns to the witness stand for cross-examination by the defense on Day 38 of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, Oct. 12. #VPonTrial | @AprBenjaminINQ
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 12, 2026
LOOK: Day 38: The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte resumes on Monday, October 12.
A quorum has been declared, with 13 senator-judges present. #VPonTrial | @AprBenjaminINQ
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 12, 2026
JUST IN: No minority senators have so far been sighted when the Day 38 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial opened this Monday.
Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero had to suspend the trial after the opening prayer. #VPonTrial | @bellepechayINQ
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 12, 2026
‘SHIELD US FROM THE TRAPS OF POLITICAL BIAS’
LOOK: Senator-judge Mark Villar leads the opening prayer at the Senate impeachment court on Monday, Oct. 12, marking Day 38 of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. #VPonTrial
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 12, 2026
WATCH: House prosecution lead counsel Rep. Gerville Luistro said they will seek guidance from the Senate impeachment court before filing their formal offer of exhibits as the court previously expressed intent to invite additional witnesses. #VPonTrial | @keithcINQ
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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 12, 2026
WATCH: Sara Duterte impeachment trial | Oct. 12, 2026
Day 38 of Duterte impeachment trial: Defense to cross financial analyst
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