By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
In a press conference on Thursday, House Prosecutor and Committee on Public Accounts Chairperson Rep. Terry Ridon and Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. announced the names of the first three witnesses who will be subpoenaed for hearing of Article II of the Articles of Impeachment.
These personalities who will explain the nuances of Vice President Sara Duterte’s unexplained wealth are as follows:
- Former Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang (Ret.)
- Office of the Ombudsman Central Division Records Officer in Charge Atty. Karen Batu
- Securities and Exchange Commission Company Registration and Monitoring Department Director Atty. Gerardo Del Rosario
Each witness will be testifying before the witness stand to share their knowledge and possibly present evidence to further strengthen the case of Duterte’s excessive wealth, false Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), and continued business interests.
Rep. Abante Jr. emphasized the importance of the Vice President’s appearance before the impeachment court, citing her as the central figure who can give a definitive answer to inquiries about unexplained wealth.
“Naniniwala po ako na ang tanging makakasagot ng unexplained wealth na itatanong sa kanya, walang iba kundi ang Vice President. If she refuses, whether she faces the impeachment court or not, talo siya.”
The House prosecution panel aims to complete the hearing of Article II within the first half of October. Moreover, some witnesses may also not be called to testify if evidence satisfies those required to support the case of unexplained wealth.
Meanwhile, the Senate impeachment court named the amici curiae (friends of the court) who will give legal opinions on the voting threshold that will be put in place for the Vice President’s trial.
These include retired Supreme Court Chief Justices Artemio Panganiban, Renato Puno, and Hilario Davide Jr., as well as retired SC Associate Justice Adolfo Azcuna. (with report from Vel Custodio | PTV News)
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