Politics · Philippines Bureau
House prosecution calls for VP Duterte's husband to testify on shared assets
The House of Representatives prosecution has questioned why lawyer Manases Carpio, husband of Vice President Sara Duterte, was not included in the defense's initial witness list, given his involvement in the couple's disputed financial records.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — House prosecution officials have raised concerns about testimony gaps in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, specifically regarding financial documentation shared between the VP and her husband, lawyer Manases "Mans" Carpio.
Rep. Gerville Luistro, leading the prosecution team, highlighted the absence of Carpio from the defense's preliminary witness roster during discussions on Sunday. The prosecutor questioned who would provide explanations for the financial records and contested assets linked to both Duterte and her spouse.
The development adds another layer of complexity to the impeachment case, as the prosecution seeks comprehensive testimony covering the VP's financial dealings. The selection and sequencing of witnesses has emerged as a significant procedural issue in the proceedings.
The defense team has yet to clarify whether Carpio will be called to testify at a later stage of the hearings. Legal observers note that witness selection strategies often determine the trajectory and effectiveness of impeachment prosecutions in the Philippine Congress.