House prosecutors ready to question Sara Duterte, Mans Carpio if called to testify

MANILA — House prosecutors are prepared to question Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio, should the defense call them to testify in her impeachment trial, particularly on financial transactions and assets linked to allegations of unexplained wealth.

Prosecution spokesperson Atty. Jay Tolosa said they would welcome Duterte’s appearance before the Senate impeachment court, saying she was in the best position to explain discrepancies between her declared wealth and financial transactions presented during the trial.

“Siya ang pumirma nitong kaniyang SALN at dineclare niya P98M. So mukhang siya ang nasa best position to explain bakit hindi niya dineklara ang ibang P100M as testified to by Atty. Alex Cabrera na lumabas dito sa mga financial transactions nila,” the prosecutor said in a DZMM interview on Saturday. 

Tolosa also said the panel was ready to question Carpio if the defense decides to call him as a witness.

Among the issues they want him to explain are properties and business interests discussed during the prosecution’s presentation of evidence, particularly his reported 47.5% ownership in Calle 88.

Tolosa cited questions raised by senator-judges about how the company received more than P300 million in remittances from China despite having only two employees, while its reported income to the Bureau of Internal Revenue was significantly lower.

“If that will happen then madami tayong mga bagay na gustong hingan ng paliwanag kay Atty. Mans Carpio,” he said.

“Alam naman natin madami doon sa mga properties and assets na pinag-usapan when we were presenting evidence under his name, at ang mga iba pang bagay tulad ng mga issues surrounding Cale88, for example, since siya ang 47.5% owner diyan, [and] was pointed out by even some of the senator-judges may katanungan paano nangyari na nakapag-receive ito ng remittances from China upwards of P300M when it only had for example two employees,” he added.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) had earlier presented records showing that Cale88 received P319.3 million in remittances from China.

The prosecution also raised questions about Duterte’s bank accounts, including a joint account with her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, as well as financial transactions reflected in accounts under Carpio’s name.

Asked whether Duterte’s continued popularity in surveys could make her appearance risky for the prosecution, the prosecutor said the case should not be decided based on popularity.

“We don’t see it that way quite honestly. Ang maganda naman dito, this is not a popularity contest,” Tolosa said.

“At the end of the day naniniwala kami kung makikita ng mga kababayan natin itong ebidensya natin na nailatag na ay hindi maisasagot ng tama ng depensa, hindi makakapagbigay ng maayos na kapaliwanagan [kung] paano nangyari itong unexplained wealth na napakalaki ng halaga na pinag-uusapan natin,” Tolosa added. 

He said the prosecution remains confident in its evidence and wanted the Vice President to explain the financial discrepancies raised during the proceedings.

The impeachment trial is set to resume on November 9, with the defense expected to begin presenting its witnesses.