Prosecution in Sara Duterte trial says issue is source of funds, not support for athletes
MANILA — The prosecution said its cross-examination of the defense witness on Thursday was not about whether sports teams should be supported, but rather Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband’s financial capability to have such credit card transactions.
“Hindi po namin sinasabi na huwag suportahan yung ating mga atleta, that’s beside the point,” House prosecution spokesperson Rep. Zia Alonto said in a press conference.
Private prosecutor Atty. Jay Tolosa highlighted the “questionable” financial capability of the Vice President and her husband, noting that their Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) from 2019 to 2025 declared zero cash on hand and zero cash in bank.
“So to be clear yun ho yung tinitingnan doon, kapani-paniwala ba na ang isang tao na wala siyang idineklara na cash on hand or cash in bank?,” he said in a press conference.
Adiong added that the line of questioning only sought to return to the prosecution’s allegation that Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband had around P817 million worth of unexplained wealth.
“Kung simpleng tao po sila, paano po nila kinaya ito na ganitong gumastos?… Kaya po nila dahil may 817 million pesos na hindi nila ma-explain,” he added.
The defense earlier presented Chadrin Parian who testified on Thursday that the credit card charge of Duterte’s husband amounting to more than P200,000 at a sports apparel brand was intended to reward his son’s basketball team.
The prosecution questioned whether such single transaction reflects a simple lifestyle of a relative of a government official as required in the Constitution.
Senator Judge Pia Cayetano then asked whether the prosecution was suggesting that a parent should relinquish parental responsibilities simply because one parent becomes a public official.
“The way you are presenting it, you are telling law abiding citizens like me, mothers na nagmamalasakit like me, ‘’Wag ka nang mag-abala. Hayaan mo na lang ‘yung mga athlete na ‘yan.’ That’s the message that you are sending,” the lawmaker said.