House impeachment prosecutors will submit new evidence before the Senate impeachment court, including alleged properties that were not reflected in Vice President Sara Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).
According to Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, additional material was not taken up during House committee proceedings and will instead be included in the prosecution’s pre-trial submissions.
“Magkakaroon ng bagong ebidensya na hindi napag-usapan sa House Committee proceedings,” the young lawmaker said in an interview.
He said the evidence involves properties that, based on government records, are linked to the Duterte-Carpio spouses but do not appear in the Vice President’s SALN filings covering 2007 to 2024.
Ridon said the records include transactions reflected in government databases such as the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for vehicles and the Land Registration Authority (LRA) for land titles.
The prosecution, he added, will present the evidence during the pre-trial brief and pre-trial conference, subject to the Senate impeachment court’s rules.
He likewise stressed that both the prosecution and defense may introduce additional evidence during pre-trial or trial proper, provided these are allowed by the impeachment court and deemed relevant.
He also mentioned that the new material may require additional witnesses, including officials from concerned agencies who can authenticate records, as well as individuals involved in the acquisition of the properties.
He also added that the prosecution will follow proper procedures and defer to the Senate impeachment court on the admissibility of evidence.
He also said the House prosecution panel will respect whoever is designated as presiding officer in the impeachment court.
“Kaharapin rin namin kung sino man ito,” he emphasized, adding that the panel will respect the court’s decision.
Ridon likewise confirmed that the prosecution is proceeding on the basis that 16 votes are needed to secure a conviction against the Vice President.