Prosec: VP Duterte’s bank accounts, undeclared balances still undisputed

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s lawyers have yet to dispute bank accounts and balances that formed part of the P817.87 million in alleged unexplained wealth identified by forensic accounting expert Alexander Cabrera.

Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, House prosecution spokesperson, pointed this out on Thursday in a press briefing after the 43rd day of the vice president’s trial.

He pointed out that bank managers presented by the prosecution had already confirmed the existence of accounts belonging to Duterte, her husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio, and companies in which they held financial interests.

Article continues after this advertisement

He said some accounts contained balances that were not reflected in Duterte’s statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALNs).

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

“So that would be an indisputable fact because the bank managers themselves have testified on those bank accounts that bear or bore certain amounts,” Alonto Adiong said.

READ: Prosec: P463-M in VP’s wealth unexplained even sans firm assets

He said Cabrera used the bank records and balances to determine the amounts allegedly missing from Duterte’s declared net worth.

“And those were what Attorney Cabrera obtained to account for how much was not shown in the vice president’s SALN as part of her net worth,” he added.

Article continues after this advertisement

Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr., House prosecution legal spokesperson and counsel, said the records included year-end balances exceeding P20 million and P30 million in certain years.

He said these amounts were among those considered in Cabrera’s calculation of at least P817.87 million in alleged unexplained wealth and undeclared assets involving Duterte and Carpio from 2022 to 2025.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: VPs ₱817.87-M wealth review covers assets, income, 3 firms

Tolosa stressed that the defense had not challenged the authenticity of the bank accounts when the prosecution presented its evidence.

“First of all, they did not question the authenticity of those bank accounts when we presented them,” he said.

He also clarified that the bank representatives whom the defense later decided not to present were supposed to authenticate letters sent by Carpio, rather than challenge the account balances themselves.

“The purpose that was indicated there was to authenticate some letters sent by Attorney Carpio regarding these accounts,” Tolosa said.

He said the prosecution had yet to hear a defense witness deny the existence of the accounts or directly dispute the records.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

The defense is presenting evidence under the second impeachment article, the sole remaining impeachment charge against Duterte, involving alleged unexplained wealth. /atm