Prosecution strategies in the vice presidential impeachment proceedings are focusing on authenticated government records and sworn tax filings to anchor claims of constitutional violations rather than witness testimonies.
House prosecution team adviser and spokesperson Robert Ace Barbers cited official records—including Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), corporate General Information Sheets (GIS), and tax filings—proving Vice President Sara Z. Duterte continued engaging in business and practicing her legal profession despite a constitutional prohibition.
Under Article VII, Section 13 of the Constitution, the vice president is prohibited from practicing any other profession, participating in business, or holding financial interests in government contracts during their tenure.
Reviewing evidence presented under Article II, which covers alleged unexplained wealth, Barbers noted that the prosecution’s case relies on sworn declarations submitted by Duterte to state agencies and financial institutions.
“SALN, GIS at tax returns ayon sa mga papel na iyan, si VP Sara ay patuloy na nagnenegosyo at kumikita pa rin bilang abogado na isang tahasang paglabag sa ating mga batas at sa ating Saligang Batas,” Barbers said.
Barbers noted that Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) records show Duterte retained her position on the board and executive committee of Metro City Chow Foods Corp. until 2025, three years into her term as vice president.
The prosecution spokesperson also raised questions regarding Duterte’s declared interest in GenCorp Industries Inc., an entity appearing in her SALNs but absent from corporate GIS filings submitted to the SEC.
GenCorp secured 49 government contracts, including transactions with the Davao City local government headed by her brother, Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte.
The prosecution panel further scrutinized corporate transactions involving Cale88 Foods Corp., a firm connected to Duterte’s husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio.
Barbers pointed out that the reported sale of Cale88 lacked an electronic Certificate Authorizing Registration (eCAR) from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and remained unrecorded in the buyer’s financial documentation.
“Sa parehong sitwasyon, iisa ang tanong: sino ang tunay na may-ari? Ang korte na ang bahalang magdesisyon dito,” Barbers said.
BIR filings revealed that Duterte maintained an active registration as a professional taxpayer under legal activities, reporting professional earnings of P1.06 million in 2024 and P1.08 million in 2025 alongside her official compensation as vice president.
While the BIR categorized the earnings as professional income, forensic accounting expert Alexander Cabrera designated the sums as business revenue.
“Kung negosyo ito, ay bawal pa rin. Kahit nagbayad na ng tax, it will not legalize or justify the income,” Barbers also said.
Barbers stated that the prosecution remains confident in its position given that the evidence consists of government-authenticated documents.
“But I personally believe na wala po silang ebidensya to controvert itong mga nailatag ng prosecution,” Barbers added.
Barbers acknowledged that the defense panel has yet to present its counter-evidence, leaving the ultimate evaluation of the documentary evidence to the senator-judges.
Duterte’s legal counsel has disputed the prosecution’s allegations and challenged their interpretation of the corporate and financial records presented.
The defense is scheduled to open its presentation of evidence before the impeachment tribunal on November 9.