MANILA — House prosecutors have concluded their presentation of evidence against Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, with forensic financial analyst Atty. Alexander Cabrera their final witness in the impeachment proceedings involving allegations of unexplained wealth.
House lead prosecutor Cong. Gerville Luistro confirmed that Cabrera’s testimony marked the final stage of the prosecution’s presentation under Article II of the Articles of Impeachment, bringing the panel closer to wrapping up its case against the vice president.
“I wish to formally announce that Atty. Alex Cabrera is the last witness of the prosecution for unexplained wealth. Ito po ay na-manifest na rin ng ating distinguished colleague, in the person of honorable Chel Diokno,” Luistro said.
“Just to put clarity and to give guidance to our beloved countrymen, kay Atty. Alex Cabrera magtatapos ang presentation of evidence ng prosecution for unexplained wealth, that is Article II of the Articles of Impeachment,” she added.
Speaking at the Saturday News Forum, Luistro said the prosecution would resume its examination of Cabrera next week before the defense gets its opportunity to challenge the financial expert’s findings through cross-examination.
“For this coming week, we will be proceeding to the continuation of the examination of Atty Alex Cabrera,” Luistro said.
The prosecution expressed confidence that Cabrera’s financial analysis would withstand scrutiny, even as it acknowledged that defense lawyers were expected to question his findings and conclusions.
“There will be cross examination to be done by the defense, and then kung mayroon silang ma-establish which we believe otherwise dahil napakatibay ng naging testimonya ng ating expert witness. But on the assumption only then we will be conducting as well, redirect examination and after redirect, there will be recross examination,” Luistro said.
Under the anticipated proceedings, the prosecution may conduct a redirect examination to clarify matters raised during cross-examination, while the defense may subsequently undertake a recross-examination.
Senator-judges are also expected to scrutinize Cabrera’s financial report on Monday, October 12, with prosecutors anticipating extensive questioning over the details of his analysis.
“It will be on Monday when we will be hearing the interjections of the senator-judges, which we anticipate will be reasonably lengthy because very interesting iyong financial report ng ating expert witness,” a prosecution team member said.
The upcoming questioning is expected to be a crucial part of the proceedings, as Cabrera’s testimony represents the prosecution’s final opportunity to present evidence supporting its allegations of unexplained wealth against Duterte-Carpio.
Luistro said prosecutors had already completed their presentation of evidence on the other impeachment allegations, including grave threats and betrayal of public trust arising from the alleged misuse of confidential funds.
Meanwhile, the prosecution has decided not to present evidence under Article III, which involves allegations of bribery concerning Department of Education officials.
House prosecutor Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores earlier announced the decision to drop the bribery allegation from the prosecution’s evidentiary presentation.
With the other allegations already covered and Article III no longer being pursued in the presentation of evidence, the completion of Cabrera’s testimony would effectively bring the prosecution’s evidentiary phase to a close.
The defense, however, will still have the opportunity to challenge the prosecution’s evidence and contest the allegations against Duterte-Carpio.
The impeachment proceedings will ultimately require senator-judges to assess whether the evidence presented is sufficient to establish the allegations against the vice president./PN
