MANILA, Philippines — The evidence presented against Vice President Sara Duterte will stand on its own merit whether or not she testifies in her impeachment trial, a member of the House prosecution team said on Tuesday.
“Irrespective of whether the vice president actually presents herself in the proceedings, the staggering weight of the evidence will probably speak for itself,” Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said in Filipino in an interview.
Ridon was responding to Deputy Speaker Janette Garin's assessment that the prosecution could secure the 16 votes needed for conviction even if Duterte refuses to take the witness stand.
“Let us see how this trial will conclude. We do not want to preempt the Senate impeachment court on this matter,” he said.
The prosecution's remaining case, Article II, involves alleged unexplained wealth and inaccurate asset declarations.
Forensic accounting expert and lawyer Alexander Cabrera earlier identified approximately P817.87 million in alleged unexplained wealth involving Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio, from 2022 to 2025. A broader computation placed the amount at about P1.5 billion, which the defense has disputed.
“Our hope is that the defense will answer each and every allegation, each and every piece of evidence that has been submitted for the consideration of the Senate impeachment court,” Ridon said.
“We will see when the Vice President takes the witness stand,” he added.
He likewise cited a recent Social Weather Stations survey showing that 78 percent of Filipino adults considered it important for Duterte to testify.
“The surveys are clear. I think a majority of the nation would want to see the Vice President there explaining each and every part of her defense, particularly those properties that were not declared in her statements of assets, liabilities and net worth,” the lawmaker said.
Meanwhile, Ridon said the prosecution expects a shorter defense presentation following the withdrawal of three impeachment articles on October 13, leaving unexplained wealth as the sole remaining charge.
“Our expectation is that they will need less time to present their evidence on this matter,” he said, adding that the prosecution expects the defense to submit its witness list by Wednesday or Thursday ahead of the trial's resumption on November 9.
