Prosecution to cross-examine defense’s witnesses on Sara Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth

MANILA – The prosecution panel is preparing to cross-examine the witnesses to be presented by the defense team on the alleged unexplained wealth of Vice President Sara Duterte when the impeachment trial resumes, according to House Prosecutor Rep. Terry Ridon.

Duterte’s impeachment trial is scheduled to resume on November 9th.

“Isa po sa mga pinaghahandaan po namin ‘yung aktwal na paglalatag on cross-examination ng mga mansyon at pag-aari ng mga Duterte. Kasama rito si Congressman Paulo Duterte. Kasama rito ‘yun pong mga pag-aari na in-identify ng National Bureau of Investigation na pag-aari mismo ni Pangalawang Pangulong Sara Duterte. Ito po ay dine-deny ng ating Pangalawang Pangulo. Ganoon pa man, ito po ay sinasabi ni NBI Director Melvin Matibag na naka-cross-check doon po sa SALN mismo ng Pangalawang Pangulo, naka cross-check sa Land Registration Authority at fully confirmed noong pinuntahan po mismo ng NBI doon mismo kung saan nakalagay ito pong mga pag-aari po na ito,” Ridon said.

“So, in the event that defense witnesses will be presented, who can actually speak the truth or clarify on the question of the mansions, the prosecution panel will ask it to them completely. Kung totoo ba o hindi ito pong mga mansiyon na ito, kung totoo ba o hindi na nakalagay sa pangalan ng Pangalawang Pangulo ito pong mga mansiyon at pag-aari po na ito,” he added.

“Tingin ko marami pong mga public prosecutors would want to cross-examine during po the presentation of evidence of the defense lalo’t higit kung mga common witnesses naman po ito, tingin ko naman it is something that we had already prepared for in the past,” he noted.

Asked about what possible defense could be presented on the allegation of unexplained wealth, Ridon answered, “Tingin ko ‘yung magiging depensa po doon ay hindi niya po alam ‘yung pong lahat po ng mga financial transactions una ng kanyang ama at ng kanya pong asawa, but again I don’t think that is a defense.” 

If a prenuptial agreement is presented, Ridon sees a possible loophole.

“Irrespective of whether it is absolute community of property, conjugal property, or separation of property, ‘yun pong SALN law doesn’t make distinctions. Kailangan pa rin pong ilagay ‘yun pong mga pag-aari ng mag-asawa. And in fact, in each and every document, on the tax document, on the SALN document, joint ‘yung filing nila eh,” he explained.

Ridon believes the defense will be given less than 30 days for the presentation of their evidence.

“Para po doon sa kabuuan, tatlumpung araw ang ibinigay po sa depensa. So our expectation is kung nabawasan na po ng tatlong artikulo at isa na lang po ‘yung paglatatagan po ng ebidensya dapat mas maigsi na po ‘yung panahon na igagawad sa depensa para po maglatag po na ebidensya, but I think it is something that we will have to confirm with the Senate Impeachment Court, kung actual ho ba na magbabawas po ng bilang ng mga araw para sa presentasyon po ng ebidensya on unexplained wealth,” he said.