MANILA, Philippines – At least five key resource persons, including Jesus Crispin Remulla and former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, are set to testify in the April 22 hearing of the House Committee on Justice on impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Justice panel chair Rep. Gerville Luistro said the invited witnesses are expected to shed light on allegations involving unexplained wealth and the alleged failure to properly disclose assets in the Vice President’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs).
“These resource persons are relevant to the allegations of unexplained wealth and non-disclosure in SALNs, which may constitute betrayal of public trust,” Luistro said in an interview.
FOCUS ON SALNS, WEALTH ALLEGATIONS
Remulla is expected to present copies of Duterte’s SALNs covering multiple years, following a subpoena issued by the committee.
These documents are considered central to verifying whether the Vice President accurately declared her assets and liabilities over time.
Trillanes, meanwhile, is set to provide testimony and supporting documents related to his longstanding claims that Duterte possesses undeclared wealth.
He has also previously accused Duterte and her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, of maintaining hidden assets.
According to Luistro, the subpoena issued to Trillanes includes both an order to testify and to submit any documentary evidence he holds.
FINANCIAL RECORDS UNDER REVIEW
The committee has also invited the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to submit reports on alleged covert and suspicious financial transactions involving the Vice President and her husband, Manases Carpio.
In addition, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been directed to provide corporate documents, including general information sheets and audited financial statements of businesses declared by Duterte and Carpio.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is likewise expected to present the couple’s income tax returns, which may be used to cross-check declared earnings against reported assets.
COMMITTEE TO DETERMINE PROBABLE CAUSE
Luistro explained that the April 22 proceeding will serve as a clarificatory hearing to determine whether the impeachment complaints and supporting evidence establish probable cause to proceed to trial.
Additional documents not originally attached to the complaints, such as tax returns and financial reports, may also be considered in evaluating the case.
The lawmaker emphasized that the justice committee has the authority to compel the submission of documents through subpoenas, even without the consent of the official under investigation.
“The committee has the power to compel the production of documents such as SALNs, ITRs, AMLC reports, and audited financial statements,” Luistro said.
BACKGROUND: MOUNTING LEGAL AND POLITICAL PRESSURE
Vice President Sara Duterte is currently facing multiple impeachment complaints centered on allegations of corruption, misuse of public funds, and failure to fully disclose wealth.
The House Committee on Justice is tasked with determining whether these complaints have sufficient basis to move forward to a full impeachment trial in the Senate.
The outcome of the hearings could significantly shape the country’s political landscape, as impeachment is one of the highest accountability mechanisms for top government officials under Philippine law.