Prosecution sees VP’s possible ‘I didn’t know’ defense on bank accounts

MANILA, Philippines – The House impeachment trial prosecution panel believes Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s lawyers may argue that she was unaware of certain bank accounts and financial transactions linked to her and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, its legal spokesperson and. counsel Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. said over the weekend.

Tolosa said questions raised by Duterte’s lawyers during cross-examination of prosecution witnesses appeared to suggest a possible defense based on her lack of knowledge of the accounts.

“Maaalala naman natin, mukhang doon sa questions nila noong cross-examination sa mga witnesses namin, parang ang pinupunto nila is ’yung lack of knowledge supposedly nung Vice President doon sa mga bank accounts,” Tolosa said at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.

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He cited questions concerning a joint bank account involving Duterte and her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

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Tolosa said the account had figured in testimony about money allegedly being moved before the end of the year to prevent it from appearing in reported bank balances.

“This is a joint account with former President Rodrigo Duterte but nag-manifest ang defense counsel, ang sinasabi wala daw recollection even if it’s a joint account ang vice president,” he said.

Tolosa also pointed to questions raised by the defense about whether banks would disclose account information to the spouse of an account holder.

He said these questions appeared intended to establish that Duterte might not have known about accounts held in Carpio’s name.

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“Pagdating naman doon sa mga bank accounts na naglalaman din ng mga milyon-milyon na nasa pangalan ng asawa ng vice president, ang tanong nila sa mga bangko na ito, will they entertain the spouse kung siya magtatanong niyan?” Tolosa said.

He stressed that the prosecution is not claiming to know the defense’s final strategy.

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“Again, so kung ’yan ang magiging depensa nila, of course ayaw naman natin i-preempt,” Tolosa said.

He maintained, however, that Duterte would be in the best position to explain whether she knew about the accounts and transactions.

The House prosecution has presented bank records and other financial documents in support of Article II, the sole remaining impeachment charge involving alleged unexplained wealth.

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Duterte has denied wrongdoing, and her lawyers are scheduled to begin presenting their evidence Monday, November 9