The House prosecution panel is preparing to submit its formal offer of evidence against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte ahead of the October 23 deadline set by the Senate impeachment court in an effort to expedite trial proceedings.
House prosecutor and Manila Rep. Joel Chua said prosecutors are finalizing the submission following the formal resting of their case on October 13, a day after their final witness concluded his testimony.
The Senate impeachment court granted the prosecution a 10-day period, expiring on October 23, to submit its documentary and object evidence supporting Article II, which covers alleged unexplained wealth.
“Kung maibibigay po natin nang mas maaga, the better,” Chua said.
The formal offer outlines the specific exhibits the prosecution wants admitted into the official record. The defense team will have 10 days upon receipt to file its comments and objections.
The prosecution’s final witness, forensic accounting expert Alexander Cabrera, took the stand on Oct. 9 and concluded his testimony on Oct. 12.
Cabrera testified that an analysis of available financial documents revealed approximately P817.87 million in allegedly unexplained wealth associated with Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio, between 2022 and 2025. He noted that the figure could reach P1.5 billion under less conservative analytical assumptions.
Cabrera’s findings were compiled using income tax returns, bank records, corporate filings, insurance documents, and Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs).
Duterte has denied any wrongdoing, with her defense counsel disputing the prosecution’s claims.
On Oct. 13, the impeachment court formally approved the prosecution’s motion to withdraw three articles of impeachment related to alleged bribery, misuse of confidential funds, and grave threats, leaving Article II as the sole charge.
Chua noted that narrowing the scope of the trial to a single article will streamline the remaining stages of the trial.
“This time maiksi na lang eh, dahil ang magiging ano na lang dito, ‘yung Article II. So wala akong nakikitang dahilan para humaba pa,” Chua also said.
The Senate impeachment trial is set to reconvene on Nov. 9, when Duterte’s defense team is scheduled to begin presenting its case, pending the court’s ruling on the prosecution’s formal offer of evidence.