Prosecution ready to give ombudsman evidence vs Duterte once requested

MANILA, Philippines — House prosecutors are ready to turn over the trove of evidence they collected for Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.

However, the panel prefers to await a formal subpoena before surrendering the files, Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said on Tuesday.

Luistro, the chief prosecutor, said the team will promptly respond to a formal request for the records involving the withdrawn impeachment articles.

Article continues after this advertisement

These articles cover the vice president’s alleged threats against President Marcos, secret fund misuse, and bribery.

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

“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,” she told reporters in a media briefing. 

Last week, Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, an impeachment prosecution spokesman, said he expects the ombudsman to file charges involving Duterte’s alleged misuse of P612.5 million in secret funds.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla last Friday said he will ask the prosecution team for evidence about the allegation that the vice president misused P500 million in confidential funds from her office and P112.5 million from the Department of Education.

The ombudsman wants to evaluate whether a case could be filed.

Article continues after this advertisement

Evidence submitted by prosecutors included acknowledgement receipts signed by hundreds of questionable personalities that prosecutors suspect are spurious.

These documents come alongside formal disallowance certifications issued by the Commission on Audit. 

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Sara Duterte denies owning fast food chain franchise amid GenCorp link

Luistro also questioned Duterte’s seeming deflection that she owns a Jollibee franchise.

The lead prosecutor is reacting to vice president’s statement last week that “investing in a company does not automatically equate to owning the company itself, much less owning, managing or operating its individual businesses or franchises.”

“Perhaps we should remember that it was the respondent herself who made her own admission that she is a shareholder of Gencorp Industries, Inc.,” the chief impeachment prosecutor said.

“We can all see that – both in the 2022 SALN (Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth) and in the 2023 SALN,” she pointed out.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

“She never disputed those SALNs,” Luistro observed, noting that if Duterte is “saying that ownership of shares does not mean ownership of franchise, that will be, for me, completely contradictory.” /apl