Prosecution demands VP Duterte explain undisclosed assets in impeachment trial

MANILA — Prosecutors examining Vice President Sara Duterte's financial records have identified discrepancies between her declared assets and holdings that appear absent from her official statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALNs). The prosecution team announced the findings during a Tuesday press conference, signaling they will press the Vice President's defense to provide explanations for the gaps when impeachment proceedings resume.

The House prosecution has documented both cash holdings and real property that prosecutors contend do not align with documentation submitted through the SALN process, the standard financial disclosure requirement for government officials. The review represents a significant line of inquiry in the ongoing impeachment trial, which has examined various aspects of the Vice President's conduct and financial affairs.

Former Representative Robert Ace Barbers, part of the prosecution team, outlined the findings at the Tuesday briefing, indicating the prosecution intends to use the information during cross-examination and closing arguments. The resumption of trial proceedings on November 9 is expected to provide the defense an opportunity to respond to the financial discrepancies raised by prosecutors.

The impeachment trial, which began earlier this year, has progressed through multiple phases of testimony and documentary evidence. The latest development underscores the prosecution's focus on establishing comprehensive records of the Vice President's financial holdings as part of its broader case.