A House prosecutor has disclosed that the prosecution panel has uncovered new evidence in the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte involving assets allegedly linked to the Vice President and her husband that were not reflected in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) from 2007 to 2024.
Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon said the material will be formally included in the prosecution’s pretrial brief before the Senate impeachment court, where both parties are expected to define evidence, witnesses, and issues for trial.
“Yung mga particular ebidensya po na ito, mayroong pong mga pag-aari ang pangalawang pangulo at ang kanya pong asawa… pero hindi po ito nakatala sa kanyang SALN submissions from 2007 to 2024,” Ridon said.
The disclosure was made during the launch of “Bantay Impeachment” at Claret School in Quezon City, attended by more than 120 representatives from anti-corruption groups, civil society organizations, church-based formations, youth sectors, and other stakeholders.
The initiative seeks to monitor the impeachment proceedings against Duterte amid concerns over Senate leadership dynamics and possible attempts to delay or weaken the constitutional process. Participants stressed that impeachment is a constitutional accountability mechanism, not a political contest among elites.
Ridon said the alleged undeclared assets directly relate to the impeachment article on unexplained wealth, one of four charges transmitted by the House to the Senate, which also include allegations of misuse of public funds, bribery, and threats against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.
He said the new material was not presented during the House Committee on Justice proceedings, making it a fresh addition at the pretrial stage.
“So sa pretrial po ipapasok,” Ridon said, adding that there is no prohibition on introducing additional evidence as long as it supports the articles of impeachment.
“Wala hong nagbabawal sa prosecution panel na maglatag ng bagong ebidensya up until pretrial proceedings,” he said.
Ridon added that full disclosure of the evidence will be included in the prosecution’s pretrial brief, which will be submitted ahead of the Senate proceedings.
“By next week, nakalagay po ito sa pretrial brief so it will be disclosed with particularity,” he said.
He also noted that the Senate impeachment court may still allow additional evidence during trial, provided it is material and relevant to the case.
Ridon credited House prosecutor Joel Chua of Manila for identifying the newly surfaced material, saying it could strengthen the prosecution’s case once trial proper begins.
He added that the prosecution panel will fully utilize the evidence to support the charges already filed before the Senate.