MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte’s husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio, could play a crucial role in the prosecution’s effort to establish the full extent of the couple’s wealth, properties and business interests as the Senate impeachment trial moves toward the presentation of evidence on allegations of unexplained wealth.
House impeachment prosecutor and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said Carpio is highly relevant to the case under Article II of the Articles of Impeachment because financial records and assets connected to the vice president’s husband could help prosecutors determine the broader financial picture surrounding the Duterte couple.
Ridon, who co-leads the prosecution team handling the unexplained wealth allegations, said the issue is not limited to Vice President Duterte’s personal records alone. Prosecutors are also examining documents involving Carpio and companies associated with the couple as they prepare their evidence.
Bank and Tax Records Now Under Review
The latest development comes after the House prosecution panel received copies of bank and tax records involving Vice President Duterte, Carpio and companies linked to them.
According to Ridon, the documents were turned over to the prosecution after the Senate impeachment court secured records produced in response to subpoenas. He described the financial documents as a major part of the evidence being reviewed for the unexplained wealth article.
The Senate impeachment court had earlier granted most of the prosecution’s requests for subpoenas involving financial and tax records, ruling that the documents sought were sufficiently relevant and material to the allegations. The defense had argued against the requests, including concerns that they amounted to an overly broad search for evidence.
The prosecution is now scrutinizing the records as it prepares for the possible presentation of witnesses and documentary evidence.
Could Mans Carpio Be Called as a Witness?
Carpio may also eventually be called to testify, although prosecutors have stressed that no final decision has been made.
In an earlier statement, Ridon said the House prosecution could consider summoning Carpio as a hostile witness if financial documents or bank accounts bearing his name become central to questions surrounding the unexplained wealth allegations.
That possibility has placed even greater attention on Carpio’s role in the impeachment proceedings.
Prosecutors are expected to determine whether testimony from Carpio or other witnesses will be necessary to explain specific financial records, properties, accounts or business interests included in the evidence.
What Is Article II All About?
Article II of the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte centers on allegations involving unexplained wealth and assets that prosecutors claim were not properly reflected in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, or SALNs.
Ridon previously said the prosecution had uncovered information involving personal properties allegedly connected to the vice president that were not included in her SALN disclosures. Prosecutors have been preparing additional evidence as part of their case.
The allegations remain accusations that must be established through the impeachment process.
Legal Battle Over Financial Records
The release and use of financial information involving Duterte and Carpio have also triggered a separate legal dispute.
Carpio previously questioned the disclosure of tax records and argued that issues surrounding the authorization and handling of taxpayer information should undergo judicial review. He also filed complaints related to the disclosure of financial records, citing alleged violations involving bank secrecy, anti-money laundering and data privacy laws.
More recently, House prosecutors said developments involving those complaints could remove a potential obstacle as they prepare witnesses and evidence for the unexplained wealth proceedings.
Why This Could Be a Major Moment in Sara Duterte’s Impeachment Trial
The focus on Mans Carpio could significantly expand the scope of the prosecution’s examination of the Duterte family’s finances.
For prosecutors, records involving the vice president’s husband and businesses associated with the couple could help establish what they believe is a more complete picture of assets, wealth and financial transactions relevant to Article II.
But whether Carpio will actually be summoned, what specific documents will be presented, and whether prosecutors can successfully connect their financial evidence to the allegations against Vice President Duterte remain major questions for the impeachment court.
The financial records are now in the hands of prosecutors.
The next question could be the most important yet: Will Mans Carpio be asked to personally explain what is inside them?
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