Politics · Philippines Bureau
Senate Impeachment Court Allows Defense Challenge to Witness Testimony
The Senate impeachment court has ruled to keep on record the defense team's criticism of a prosecution witness's testimony regarding Vice President Sara Duterte's financial disclosures. The decision comes as forensic analysts presented evidence of alleged undeclared assets.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — The Senate impeachment court on Monday upheld a defense objection characterizing a prosecution witness's testimony as erroneous, allowing the critical remarks to remain part of the official record.
The ruling pertains to testimony delivered by forensic financial analyst Alexander Cabrera, who presented findings alleging that Vice President Sara Duterte accumulated P817 million in undeclared assets and unexplained wealth spanning 2022 onward. The defense team challenged the accuracy and methodology of Cabrera's financial analysis during cross-examination.
The court's decision to retain the defense's characterization on the record signals that the tribunal views the challenge as substantive enough to warrant preservation in official proceedings. This procedural ruling allows the defense argument to remain available for consideration as the impeachment trial progresses.
The case centers on allegations that Duterte failed to properly disclose her financial holdings. The impeachment proceedings, which began earlier this year, represent a significant constitutional development in the Philippines' political landscape.