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Barbers accuses VP Duterte's legal team of veiled threats over AMLC disclosures

Former Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers has denounced what he characterizes as intimidation tactics by Vice President Sara Duterte's lawyers regarding the disclosure of Anti-Money Laundering Council documents, despite the impeachment court having already ruled on the matter.

LSN Philippines · 6 October 2026

MANILA — Barbers, serving as spokesperson for the prosecution panel in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Duterte, claimed that her legal team has made veiled threats concerning potential criminal liability tied to the revelation of AMLC reports. He contended that such actions constitute an improper attempt to influence proceedings that have already been adjudicated by the impeachment court.

The former lawmaker's accusations underscore escalating tensions within the high-profile impeachment case. Barbers suggested that the defense team's conduct demonstrates a disregard for the court's previous determinations and represents an effort to intimidate through legal intimidation rather than substantive argument.

The dispute centers on the disclosure of financial documents that have become central to the impeachment inquiry. The impeachment court's prior ruling on the admissibility and relevance of such materials has established the legal framework governing their use in the proceedings.

Barbers' statement signals that the prosecution intends to continue pressing forward with its case despite what it characterizes as obstruction tactics from the defense. The controversy highlights the contentious nature of the impeachment proceedings and the deep divisions between the opposing sides.