Luistro praises ex-law dean’s reason for declining to be VP witness

MANILA, Philippines — Rep. Gerville Luistro praised former law dean Ralph Sarmiento on Thursday for his reason for declining to be a defense witness in Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s impeachment trial.

In an interview on ANC’s “Headstart” with Karen Davila, Luistro, the lead House prosecutor, said she appreciated Sarmiento’s explanation that he would like to keep his constitutional law views independent.

Sarmiento, a former University of St. La Salle College of Law dean, had been expected to open the defense presentation when the trial resumes Nov. 9.

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READ: Duterte impeachment: Ex-law school dean declines to testify for defense

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The defense wanted him to discuss constitutional and legal questions tied to Article II, the remaining wealth-related charge.

“I’m quite surprised that it seems that the defense did not reach out to him prior to filing the motion for issuance of subpoena to this witness,” Luistro said.

She pointed out that finding out the position and willingness to testify of a prospective witness was part of preparing a presentation.

In his recorded statement played during the interview, Sarmiento said he would not testify for either side because he wanted to preserve his independence as a constitutional law professor and legal analyst. 

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He asked the defense to withdraw its subpoena request or seek its recall if one had already been issued.

“He wants to maintain his independence and impartiality in sharing his opinions,” Luistro said.

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The “Headstart” discussion also turned to the possibility of Duterte taking the witness stand. 

Luistro said such an appearance would benefit the prosecution, citing both her assessment of Duterte’s manner of speaking and the financial records already presented.

“To be very honest, if the respondent vice president will appear, it will be to the advantage of the prosecution,” she said.

Luistro criticized Duterte’s speaking style: “Sometimes she loses control of what she says.”

She also pointed to the records supporting the second impeachment article’s allegations of unexplained wealth, inaccurate asset declaration, and prohibited business interests.

“The evidence on unexplained wealth is document-based,” Luistro said.

She cited forensic accounting expert Alexander Cabrera’s explanation of the financial records and the connections the prosecution sought to establish through them.

“We have a forensic analyst who was able to explain clearly and strongly the connection of the pieces of evidence,” she said.

READ: Defense lists 25 witnesses for alleged unexplained wealth

Cabrera’s report, covering the years 2022 to 2025, estimated P817.87 million in allegedly undeclared assets and unexplained wealth involving Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio.

Luistro said the defense would have to address records filed by the couple and their associated companies, including audited financial statements and Income Tax Returns (ITRs).

She questioned how witnesses would rebut those documents and the prosecution’s analysis.

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Referring to income tax returns, she said: “It was the respondent’s own declaration of income as well as that of the spouse and their companies.” /atm