Manila:Vice President Sara Duterte's defense team has yet to contest the bank accounts and balances that are part of the PHP817.87 million in alleged unexplained wealth identified by forensic accounting expert Alexander Cabrera, according to House of Representatives prosecution spokesperson, Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong.
According to Philippines News Agency, Alonto Adiong stated that bank managers presented by the prosecution have confirmed the existence of accounts belonging to Duterte, her husband, lawyer Manases 'Mans' Carpio, and companies where they held financial interests. Some accounts reportedly contained balances not reflected in Duterte's Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs).
Alonto Adiong noted that the bank managers' testimonies about these accounts establish them as indisputable facts. Cabrera utilized these bank records to determine the amounts allegedly missing from Duterte's declared net worth. The House prosecution legal spokesperson, Benjamin 'Jay' Tolosa Jr., highlighted that these records included year-end balances exceeding PHP20 million and PHP30 million in certain years, which were considered in Cabrera's calculation of at least PHP817.87 million in alleged unexplained wealth involving Duterte and Carpio from 2022 to 2025.
Tolosa emphasized that the defense has not questioned the authenticity of the bank accounts when presented as evidence. He clarified that the bank representatives, whom the defense chose not to present, were meant to authenticate letters sent by Carpio rather than dispute the account balances. The prosecution has yet to see a defense witness deny the existence of the accounts or directly challenge the records.
Meanwhile, House prosecutor Manila Rep. Joel Chua suggested that bringing a Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) official to testify about Duterte's possible dollar accounts could have opened a 'Pandora's box' of questions difficult for her defense to manage. The defense's decision to drop the bank official prevented further questioning on substantial transactions involving the BPI Julio Vargas branch.
Alonto Adiong remarked that presenting the bank official could have led to more inquiries about Duterte's finances, potentially revealing additional amounts needing explanation. Cabrera previously identified between PHP817.87 million and PHP1.5 billion in alleged unexplained wealth and undeclared assets involving Duterte and her husband. The defense had been expected to present a BPI official concerning Duterte's dollar account but later chose not to proceed with his testimony.
Chua noted that previous defense witnesses had encountered challenging questions during cross-examination. The Senate impeachment court is currently hearing the defense's evidence regarding Article II, the sole remaining impeachment charge against Duterte concerning alleged unexplained wealth.
