VP Duterte self-incrimination claim won’t shield Mans Carpio – Ridon

MANILA, Philippines — The constitutional protection against self-incrimination, which Vice President Sara Duterte has been invoking for refusing to attend her Senate impeachment trial, will not necessarily allow her husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio, to take the same position if prosecutors call him to explain financial records relevant to her unexplained wealth case.

Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon offered that view during the “Saturday News Forum” at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.

“So, if the vice president, for example, will insist on her right against self-incrimination, I don’t think Attorney Carpio can actually raise that same particular point,” Ridon said.

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Ridon’s position adds a new legal dimension to the prosecution’s earlier disclosure that it is considering Carpio as a possible hostile witness under the second impeachment article.

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He pointed out that Carpio’s testimony would be relevant because, being the vice president’s husband, he shares ownership of their properties.

The prosecution has obtained subpoenaed bank and tax documents involving Duterte, Carpio, and companies associated with them as it prepares to compare their financial records with Duterte’s declared wealth.

Ridon stressed that questions involving Carpio would focus on the extent of the couple’s assets, financial interests, and corporate holdings that may be relevant to the allegations against Duterte.

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Carpio has not yet been formally added to the prosecution witness lineup, and any effort to call him wll still have to proceed through the Senate impeachment court.

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Whether Carpio may invoke any constitutional privilege against particular questions would ultimately be a legal issue for the impeachment court to resolve should prosecutors decide to call him. /atm