Prosecution mulls calling Duterte business associate as impeachment witness

MANILA — The House prosecution team signaled Monday that it could call Jaime T. Cruz as a witness in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial, according to House prosecution spokesperson Ace Barbers. Cruz was identified as an incorporator of companies in which Duterte declared shareholdings, making him a potentially key figure in the proceedings. The statement came following the conclusion of the 27th day of hearings before the Senate Impeachment Court. Barbers did not specify the timing or circumstances under which Cruz might be called to testify, leaving open the possibility that the prosecution could invoke his testimony to establish connections between the Vice President and the business entities in question. The development marks another phase in the evolving prosecution strategy as the impeachment trial continues. The Vice President has faced questions regarding her financial disclosures and business interests, with the prosecution seeking to establish potential inconsistencies or undisclosed relationships.