Property registration integrity, municipal tax roll reconciliation, and institutional land record verification have taken center stage in the Senate impeachment trial as prosecution leaders demand full official accounting of high-value real estate holdings linked to public officials.
HOUSE impeachment prosecutor and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon has challenged Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s defense to disprove government findings on mansions and other properties allegedly linked to her family in Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal.
Speaking at a media forum Ridon said local government officials expected to testify for the defense should explain the properties identified by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) during its investigation.
“Sa pagsasalang po ng mga testigo, partikular itong mga local na opisyal ng Davao City at ng Island Garden City of Samal, mahalagang ipaliwanag ng mga taong ito na kanila pong mga testigo ’yun pong mga mansyon at pag-aari na sinasabi po ng [NBI] na pinagmamay-arian ng pamilya Duterte, partikular ng atin pong pangalawang pangulo,” Ridon said.
Ridon noted that Duterte had categorically denied the allegations involving the properties.
“Meron pong absolute denial ang atin pong pangalawang pangulo sa usapin po na ito,” Ridon also added.
But Ridon maintained that NBI investigators had checked the properties against Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) and records from the Land Registration Authority (LRA).
“Ganoon pa man, ang NBI mismo ang nagsasabi, ito po ay nakatala sa SALN ng pangalawang pangulo. Ito po ay kinross-check nila sa [LRA] at pinuntahan sa mismong site kung nasaan po ang mga pag-aari na ito,” Ridon also said.
Ridon said the defense must address the findings when the Senate impeachment trial resumes on Monday, Nov. 9.
He specifically challenged the defense to disprove allegations about the properties and the lifestyle of Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio.
“So kailangan pong mapasinungalingan o mapatunayan ng depensa na talagang hindi totoo ang mga mansyon, hindi totoo ang marangyang buhay ng mag-asawang Duterte-Carpio,” Ridon also said.
The House prosecution has presented property records as part of Article II, which accuses Duterte of unexplained wealth and failure to fully disclose assets.
Duterte has denied wrongdoing, while her lawyers have questioned the prosecution’s evidence.
The impeachment court will determine whether the properties and financial records support the allegations after the defense presents its case.