OVP, DepEd officials may be hostile witnesses in VP Duterte trial

MANILA, Philippines — Officials from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) may be called as hostile witnesses in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said in a statement on Tuesday.

Luistro issued the statement after the House prosecution panel filed the pre-trial brief identifying witnesses and evidence for the June 18 pre-trial conference before the Senate impeachment court.

“I think most of them you’ve seen already in the inquiry in aid of legislation by the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, then presided over by Chair Joel Chua back in the 19th Congress,” she added.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Duterte camp wants Trillanes, 40 others, to testify in impeachment trial

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

The OVP and DepEd are central to the impeachment allegations against Duterte, which involve confidential funds, as she was also serving as education secretary during the period covered by several congressional inquiries.

Luistro also said the prosecution would expect strong opposition from Duterte’s camp during the presentation of evidence involving unexplained wealth.

“Without specifically mentioning the witnesses and the exhibits to be presented, we anticipate that to happen in the article for unexplained wealth. We felt that during the justice committee proceeding,” Luistro said.

Asked whether the defense would oppose efforts to subpoena bank records and bank officials, she said: “We anticipate that. As a matter of fact, as you may remember during the proceedings before the justice committee, they filed a criminal case against us for violation of the alleged confidentiality in the Anti-Money Laundering Act. That was also the time when they filed a petition on the disclosure of transactions by the AMLC [Anti-Money Laundering Council] with the Quezon City Regional Trial Court as well.”

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Luistro: Over 30 witnesses to be presented in Duterte trial

Luistro said the issue of confidentiality over bank and AMLC records had already appeared in previous legal arguments raised in relation to the impeachment proceedings.

Article continues after this advertisement

“So, as early as now, we anticipate already that we will feel the challenge during the presentation about unexplained wealth,” she said.

Bank documents and bank representatives would remain part of the evidence the prosecution intends to pursue, even if the documents are not yet in their possession, Luistro confirmed.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

The prosecution panel has filed its pre-trial brief before the Senate impeachment court, with trial proper scheduled to begin on July 6. /atm