Evidence gathered for the three withdrawn impeachment charges against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte will not be wasted and will instead be transferred to the Office of the Ombudsman for possible criminal prosecution, House lead prosecutor and Batangas Representative Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro assured the public.
Speaking during a media briefing, Luistro explained that while the prosecution continues to pursue Article II concerning alleged unexplained wealth in the Senate impeachment court, executive and anti-graft agencies will handle allegations regarding confidential funds, bribery and grave threats.
“To address the concern of the public, wala pong nasasayang. Tuloy po ang Article II on unexplained wealth sa impeachment court at tuloy din po ang pagpapanagot kaugnay ng grave threat, ng confidential fund at ng bribery sa iba’t ibang ahensya naman ng ating pamahalaan,” Luistro stated. (To address the concern of the public, nothing is going to waste. Article II on unexplained wealth proceeds in the impeachment court, while accountability regarding grave threats, confidential funds, and bribery will continue in other government agencies.)
Luistro urged the public not to be disheartened by the Senate impeachment court’s decision on October 13 to approve the withdrawal of the three articles.
“As part of our appeal to the public, huwag po tayong manghinayang because these articles are not gone into waste sapagkat tuloy-tuloy po ang ibang ahensya ng ating pamahalaan to pursue criminal action with respect to these articles of impeachment,” she stressed. (As part of our appeal to the public, let us not feel it went to waste because other government agencies are continuing to pursue criminal action regarding these articles of impeachment.)
The lead prosecutor welcomed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla’s intent to review the trial records, particularly evidence involving alleged financial irregularities and bribery.
“Tatalima po ang prosecution sa kahilingan ng ating Ombudsman na magkaroon ng kopya nitong mga ebidensya na inilatag natin sa impeachment court,” Luistro noted, adding that the prosecution team stands ready to submit the files upon receipt of a formal subpoena. (The prosecution will comply with the Ombudsman’s request to secure copies of the evidence we presented before the impeachment court.)
The Ombudsman is currently reviewing allegations concerning P612.5 million in confidential funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education during Duterte’s tenure as cabinet secretary.
Luistro recalled that findings from the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, chaired by Manila Representative Joel Chua during the 19th Congress, were previously forwarded to the Ombudsman for review. Should the evidence warrant further action, the anti-graft body may file formal criminal charges before the Sandiganbayan.
Separately, allegations involving grave threats remain subject to proceedings before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.
Meanwhile, the House prosecution panel is preparing to submit its formal offer of evidence for the remaining unexplained wealth charge ahead of the Friday, October 23 deadline. Once submitted, the defense panel will have an opportunity to file its formal objections before the Impeachment Court rules on admissibility.
House prosecutors are utilizing the current trial recess to prepare cross-examinations for expected defense witnesses when the trial reconvenes on November 9.
“Finally ay nagkaroon ng break ang impeachment trial, but nonetheless, I wish to share to the public, tuloy-tuloy po ang preparation ng prosecution,” Luistro said. “This time is for the cross-examination of the anticipated witnesses of the defense panel, which will start on Nov. 9, as previously scheduled by the Honorable Impeachment Court.” (Finally, the impeachment trial has taken a break, but I wish to share with the public that prosecution preparations remain continuous. This time is devoted to preparing for the cross-examination of anticipated defense witnesses, starting on Nov. 9 as scheduled.)
To support the remaining charge, the prosecution previously introduced bank records, tax filings, corporate disclosures, and forensic auditing summaries alleging approximately P817.87 million in unexplained wealth linked to Vice President Duterte and her husband, attorney Manases “Mans” Carpio, between 2022 and 2025.