Impeachment prosecutors weigh probe into VP's allied group's China funds

MANILA — The House prosecution team in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment case is exploring whether to seek access to financial records held by Tapang at Malasakit Alliance for the Philippines, a group linked to the Vice President.

The move comes after Senator-Judge Bam Aquino raised concerns on Tuesday about potentially undisclosed donations from China to the organization. Aquino directed the question at House prosecution counsel Mae Divinagracia, asking whether prosecutors would pursue obtaining the group's records to examine the funding sources.

The development represents a new avenue of investigation within the high-profile impeachment proceedings, which have centered on various allegations against the Vice President. The focus on the allied group's finances suggests prosecutors may be broadening their examination beyond the Vice President's direct activities.

No immediate decision has been made regarding a formal records request, and prosecutors have not yet disclosed details about what specific financial documentation they would seek or the timeline for any such action. The inquiry underscores ongoing scrutiny of financial relationships and foreign connections relevant to the impeachment trial.