Luistro: House prosecutors to send Ombudsman its evidence if asked

MANILA — Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro, whois House lead prosecutor, said Tuesday the panel is ready to turn over to the Ombudsman evidence presented on withdrawn articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.

But Luistro said “it will be best” for them to wait for a subpoena from the Office of the Ombudsman.

She said she welcomes the office’s announcement that it is interested in the prosecution’s evidence and would ask to see them.

She said the panel “gladly…will immediately turn over the pieces of evidence” once the Ombudsman officially asks them.

She said the evidence would be on the articles of impeachment on alleged grave threats, misuse of confidential funds, and bribery. 

Luistro said it would be better for Duterte to respond to concerns over her alleged links to fast food outlets before the impeachment court.

She said evidence for that allegation is in Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth.

“Perhaps we should remember that it was the respondent herself who made her own admission that she is a shareholder of GenCorp Industries Inc.,” Luistro said.

GenCorp’s alleged links to a fast food chain were raised during the impeachment trial.

In a post made by the Office of the Vice President on Saturday, Duterte denied owning any franchise, saying “investing in a company does not automatically equate to owning the company itself, much less owning, managing, or operating its individual businesses or franchises.”

“Siguro mas maganda sagutin niya (Perhaps it is better for her to answer that) squarely before the impeachment court so that all her representations will be considered as testimony in court,” Luistro said.