The House prosecution panel expressed confidence that its body of evidence against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte will withstand cross-examination and scrutiny by defense lawyers during her ongoing impeachment trial.
House lead prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro cited the credibility of expert witnesses and official records introduced during trial proceedings.
Luistro stated that the prosecution had established a strong foundation through credible testimonies, particularly from financial forensic expert Atty. Alexander Cabrera, its final witness.
House impeachment team adviser and spokesperson Robert Ace Barbers expressed similar confidence, stating the prosecution believed its presented evidence would prove difficult to dispute.
“If I will place myself inside their shoes, with the strong and clear evidence that the prosecution has presented already, I really don’t know how I am going to counter it by evidence,” Luistro said during a news forum.
“And ’yung nakikita ko sa kanila, they’re banking on technicalities. But we hope to see other evidence bukod dito sa technicalities,” Luistro added.
Cabrera testified on Friday that his review of financial records identified around P817.87 million in allegedly unlisted assets and income concerning Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio, covering 2022 to 2025.
His findings relied on tax returns, corporate filings, bank records, Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), and related financial documents entered into the trial record.
Luistro voiced confidence that Cabrera’s findings would hold up during cross-examination, while acknowledging defense counsel may raise specific points for further inquiry.
“Kung mayroon silang ma-establish [during the cross examination], which we believe, otherwise, dahil napakatibay ng naging testimony ng ating expert witness,” Luistro said.
Barbers supported the lead prosecutor’s assessment regarding the strength of the submitted proof.
“Palagay ko, hinding-hindi nila madi-dispute ’yung aming nailatag na ebidensya,” Barbers said.
Barbers also welcomed plans by defense attorneys to present a counter financial expert to refute Cabrera’s audit calculations.
“Excited kami marinig kung ano ’yung kanilang rebuttal or kung ano ’yung kanilang position doon sa inilatag ng aming financial expert,” Barbers also said.
To substantiate Article II concerning allegations of unexplained wealth, the prosecution called witnesses from the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Anti-Money Laundering Council, Securities and Exchange Commission, banking institutions, and insurance providers.
Following 37 days of hearings, the prosecution panel expects to rest its case across remaining articles after withdrawing Article III, which alleged bribery during Duterte’s tenure as education secretary.
The active charges center on the alleged misuse of confidential funds under Article I, unexplained wealth under Article II, and grave threats under Article IV.
Cabrera is set to undergo cross-examination by the defense on Monday, Oct. 12, after which prosecutors may submit their formal offer of evidence in accordance with directions from the Senate impeachment court.