Business · Philippines Bureau
Duterte impeachment trial: Prosecution witness acknowledges gaps in wealth analysis
A forensic financial analyst testifying in the impeachment case against former Vice President Sara Duterte acknowledged on Monday that his report documenting P817 million in alleged unexplained wealth relied solely on publicly available documents and excluded records the defendant submitted directly.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA – The impeachment trial of former Vice President Sara Duterte entered its 38th day Monday with prosecutors continuing their examination of a key financial expert whose findings form a cornerstone of their case.
Forensic financial analyst Alexander Cabrera faced cross-examination as defense counsel sought to expose limitations in his investigation. Cabrera, who prepared a report detailing P817 million in contested wealth accumulation, conceded that his analysis was constrained by the documents available to him and did not incorporate records that Duterte or her husband, Manases Carpio, may have submitted through separate channels.
The acknowledgment potentially provides the defense with ammunition to challenge the prosecution's financial evidence, suggesting the wealth analysis may be incomplete. The defense has previously argued that Duterte possessed legitimate sources of income sufficient to explain her assets.
The trial continues to focus on allegations of unexplained wealth as prosecutors attempt to establish a pattern of financial impropriety during Duterte's tenure as Vice President and Davao City mayor. The case represents one of the most significant political accountability proceedings in recent Philippine history.