VP Duterte urged to show proof of business divestment

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Z. Duterte should show documents proving that she had given up her business positions and interests after assuming office in 2022, former Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, House impeachment adviser and spokesperson, said in a press briefing on Wednesday.

Barbers said Duterte should address discrepancies in her statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALNs), corporate filings, and tax records.

“If everything is clean, this is easy to answer,” Barbers said in Filipino.

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READ: Defenseless defense: Ridon says VP camp insisting on wrong arguments

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He urged Duterte to present a deed of sale, an electronic Certificate Authorizing Registration (eCAR), and documents showing her resignation from company boards.

The vice should also explain why GenCrop Industries Inc. appeared in her SALN but not in the General Information Sheets filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Barbers also challenged Duterte to prove that she had ended her professional taxpayer registration with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

He also cited Cale88 Foods Corp., a company previously linked to Duterte’s husband, lawyer Manases Carpio.

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Cale88 was reportedly sold to another company, but the prosecution said the BIR had no record of the tax clearance for the transfer.

Barbers also questioned Duterte’s continued listing as a director of Metro City Chow Foods Corp. and her professional taxpayer registration under legal activities.

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Under Article VII, Section 13 of the Constitution, the vice president is prohibited from practicing another profession, participating in business, or holding a financial interest in government contracts while in office.

The prosecution maintains that Duterte’s corporate and tax records raise questions about her compliance with these restrictions.

READ: Prosecution sees VP Duterte trial wrap by end-November

The defense has disputed the prosecution’s interpretation of the documents.

The business interests form part of Article II, the remaining impeachment charge against Duterte involving allegations of unexplained wealth.

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The defense is scheduled to begin presenting evidence on Nov. 9. /atm