Manila:The House prosecution has raised concerns over Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, regarding their adherence to the constitutional requirement for public officials to lead modest lives. This comes after revelations of a PHP205,000 restaurant bill in Japan and a PHP256,000 Nike shoe giveaway in Malaysia.

According to Philippines News agency, House private prosecutor Virgil Ligutan scrutinized the expensive expenditures during the cross-examination of defense witness Anel Martin Antero. Antero testified that Carpio used his credit card to pay for a lavish dinner with 11 friends in Tokyo on May 19, 2023. Ligutan emphasized the constitutional duty of public officials to live modestly, questioning whether such spending aligns with this obligation.

The issue revolves around Article XI, Section 1 of the Constitution and Republic Act 6713, which mandate that public officials and their families live modestly and avoid extravagant displays of wealth. Ligutan argued that Carpio's private status does not exempt him from these standards.

Defense counsel Lyndon Miguel Bacquel objected, stating that Carpio was not the respondent in the impeachment trial. However, Ligutan insisted that the matter was about lifestyle compliance with public expectations. Antero admitted lacking evidence to confirm the dinner attendees or reimbursement to Carpio.

Additionally, House private prosecutor Reynaldo Robles challenged defense witness Chadrin Parian on Carpio's shoe purchases during a basketball team's trip to Malaysia. Parian confirmed the purchase but refrained from judging Carpio's lifestyle. Parian acknowledged being unable to afford such expenses himself.

The transactions, including the PHP205,007.29 shoe purchase and PHP256,882.50 credit card charge, were highlighted by forensic accounting expert Alexander Cabrera. Cabrera identified at least PHP817.87 million in alleged unexplained wealth and undeclared assets involving Duterte and Carpio.