Discrepancies identified by state investigators between declared land holdings and actual luxury developments will take center stage when House prosecutors cross-examine defense witnesses in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte.
House prosecutor and Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry L. Ridon affirmed that the prosecution will confront Duterte’s defense team with National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) field reports regarding disputed mansions and real estate when the Senate trial resumes on November 9.
The NBI findings, which have been formally referred to the Office of the Ombudsman, follow physical site inspections, Land Registration Authority checks, and audits of Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).
“Ang inaasahan ho namin, pagbalik po ng November 9, kung maisalang po ‘yung mga relevant witnesses, matatanong po talaga ang pangalawang pangulo tungkol doon sa mga NBI reports, doon po sa mga mansyon at pag-aari na nakatalaga sa SALN kasi I think meron pong outright denial ang pangalawang pangulo dito po sa bagay na ito,” Ridon explained.
Ridon pushed back against assertions that the NBI findings lacked factual grounding, detailing the multi-step verification process outlined by NBI Director Melvin Matibag.
“Pero ganun pa man, ang sabi po ng NBI director, una, nakatala ito sa SALN, chineck nila sa Land Registration Authority, at panghuli, pinuntahan nila mismo doon sa lugar,” Ridon stressed.
NBI inspectors documented substantial unrecorded structural improvements on lands associated with the Duterte family’s asset disclosures, including real estate in Barangay Catigan, Davao City.
“So ibig sabihin, everything checks out,” Ridon maintained regarding the investigative procedures.
While Duterte has repeatedly issued outright denials concerning ownership of the questioned properties, the Office of the Ombudsman is evaluating the NBI’s evidentiary submission to determine if further legal proceedings are warranted.
“So ‘yun po yung inaasahan ho naming paliwanag ng pangalawang pangulo, pagka ho umabot na sa cross-examination ng defense presentation of evidence,” Ridon also said.
With the prosecution having rested its case under Article II—the sole remaining charge after three other articles were withdrawn—prosecutors are preparing for a streamlined presentation from the defense team.
“Aantayin ho namin hanggang sa susunod pong linggo, kung ano po ‘yung witness list na isasalang po nila pagbalik po ng November 9,” Ridon disclosed.
The impeachment court guidelines mandate advance submission of defense witnesses prior to trial resumption.
“Tama po. So ibig sabihin, initially meron silang 30 araw para po maglatag ng ebidensya, pero dahil nagbawas po ng 3 artikulo, ang inaasahan ho natin na mas maiksi yung pong panahon para maglatag po ng ebidensya,” Ridon added.