MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives prosecution panel on Tuesday said it was now focused on securing the “whale of evidence” after the Senate impeachment court approved subpoenas for the release of bank and tax records if Vice President Sara Duterte and husband, Manases Carpio.
Lead prosecutor Rep. Terry Ridon said the prosecution would monitor the implementation of the subpoenas until July 30, arguing that the financial documents could establish the impeachment charge of unexplained wealth.
“From now until July 30, the prosecution will be watching to catch not a fish, not a shark, but the whale of evidence,” Ridon said, adding that the records involve P6.7 billion in total transactions, including P4.4 billion in inflows, which were allegedly made over nearly two decades.
Ridon argued that the volume of transactions was comparable to government spending, saying the amount could have funded assistance for 1.6 million families, fuel subsidies for 1.3 million public utility drivers, hospital expenses for 1.9 million patients, or college education for more than 893,000 students.
“That is the essence of the article on unexplained wealth. That is the essence of the Vice President’s unexplained wealth,” Ridon said.
