Luistro: Prosecution ready to turn over evidence to Ombudsman

MANILA, Philippines — House lead prosecutor, Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky” Luistro, said Tuesday that the prosecution was ready to turn over evidence from Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial to the Ombudsman, but favored waiting for the agency’s subpoena before submitting.

Luistro said the panel would promptly respond to a formal request for records on the three withdrawn articles of impeachment against the Vice President, namely, confidential funds, bribery, and grave threats.

READ: Impeachment court approves prosec’s move to drop 3 of 4 charges vs VP

Article continues after this advertisement

“So we have expressed already our willingness to respond to the request of the Ombudsman, but I think it will be best if we wait for the subpoena that will be issued,” Luistro said during a press conference at the House Media Center on Oct. 20.

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

She said prosecutors would immediately turn over the requested evidence once that step was taken. Her statement concerned the planned submission of impeachment evidence, which would supplement earlier congressional material already sent to the agency.

“When we say transparency and accountability, it does not pertain only to the impeachment process,” she said.

Luistro pointed to the House investigation during the 19th Congress, when Manila Rep. Joel Chua chaired the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.

“And the committee submitted its committee report, which was docketed during that time and was considered, we believe, as a case file before the Office of the Ombudsman,” she said.

Article continues after this advertisement

She also said she understood that the Ombudsman had previously issued subpoenas requiring officials to respond to matters involving confidential funds and bribery. She described the agency as already looking into records concerning those allegations.

“At this point, we welcome the pronouncement of the Ombudsman that they are interested in looking into, even the evidence of the prosecution,” Luistro said.

Article continues after this advertisement

Luistro placed the agency’s review within the broader effort to pursue accountability outside the Senate trial.

“It includes the proceeding before the Ombudsman where there will be preliminary investigation,” she said.

She said any subsequent filing before the Sandiganbayan would depend on the Ombudsman finding a sufficient basis after examining the evidence.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

The Senate impeachment court accepted the withdrawal of three articles of impeachment on Oct. 13, leaving only Article II, which covers the alleged unexplained wealth. Luistro said the prosecution would continue preparing for that case while cooperating with the Ombudsman’s request for records. /cb