MANILA, Philippines — The impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte is taking another dramatic turn as House prosecutors continue to consider calling her husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio, as a possible hostile witness in connection with allegations surrounding the couple’s wealth and financial records.
The move could place the Vice President’s own husband at the center of one of the most closely watched parts of the impeachment proceedings.
According to recent reports, members of the House prosecution panel are keeping open the possibility of summoning Carpio to explain financial matters involving bank accounts and records linked to him, his wife and their joint financial interests. However, prosecutors have stressed that discussions over whether to formally include him as a witness are still under consideration.
Why Mans Carpio Is Being Considered
The prosecution’s focus is on Article 2 of the impeachment case, which deals with allegations involving Vice President Duterte’s wealth, her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, or SALNs, and questions surrounding her business interests.
Prosecutors are reportedly preparing a large group of witnesses to support their case.
GMA News reported on September 9 that the House prosecution panel was considering presenting around 20 to 25 witnesses for the unexplained wealth allegations. The potential witnesses include bank officials, representatives from the Anti-Money Laundering Council, the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other key personalities.
The prosecution has also sought admissions concerning the authenticity and ownership of certain bank accounts, including accounts allegedly shared by Duterte and Carpio. Prosecutors have said that obtaining such admissions could significantly reduce the number of bank officials they would need to present.
That is where Carpio could become a crucial figure.
If prosecutors decide his testimony is necessary but believe his interests or testimony may conflict with their case, he could potentially be treated as a hostile witness.
What Is a Hostile Witness — and Why Does It Matter?
A hostile witness is generally a witness whose testimony is expected to be adverse, unwilling or inconsistent with the party calling the witness.
For the prosecution, calling Carpio under such circumstances could allow them to directly question him about matters involving financial accounts and transactions that have become part of the broader impeachment proceedings.
But the decision could also create one of the most politically explosive moments of the trial.
Carpio is not just a lawyer and private individual. He is the husband of the sitting Vice President and is directly connected to some of the financial records and allegations being examined by prosecutors.
Reports from the House of Representatives indicated that prosecutors were considering Carpio as a possible hostile witness to help explain bank accounts and financial records relevant to the case.
Up to 25 Witnesses Could Be Called
The prosecution appears to be building a wide-ranging case instead of relying on just one or two witnesses.
According to GMA News, prosecutors have discussed calling approximately 25 witnesses, including potentially around 15 bank officials if certain matters are not admitted or stipulated by the defense.
Other possible witnesses include former senator Antonio Trillanes IV and representatives from several government agencies involved in financial regulation and records.
The allegations under Article 2 include claims that Duterte failed to fully and truthfully disclose assets, liabilities and net worth involving herself and her spouse in her SALNs, including filings for 2022, 2023 and 2024.
The article of impeachment also raises questions over allegations that she failed to divest from business interests while serving as Vice President from 2022 onward. These remain allegations that the prosecution must prove during the proceedings.
The Bank Records at the Center of the Fight
The financial records involving Duterte and Carpio have become one of the most sensitive issues in the impeachment case.
Earlier reporting indicated that the impeachment court had allowed access to certain bank and financial records relevant to the proceedings, including records involving Duterte, Carpio and joint accounts, subject to the legal processes and protections governing such documents.
Reports have also pointed to financial intelligence and transaction reports involving accounts connected to the Duterte-Carpio family as part of the broader scrutiny surrounding the wealth allegations.
However, it is important to note that the existence of financial reports, bank records or large transactions does not by itself establish wrongdoing. Prosecutors must still present evidence and establish their allegations, while Duterte and her legal team retain the right to challenge the evidence and present their defense.
Why This Could Become a Major Turning Point
Calling Mans Carpio as a witness would raise the stakes dramatically.
For prosecutors, his testimony could potentially provide direct answers to questions involving accounts, transactions and financial relationships already being examined in the case.
For the defense, the possibility of Duterte’s husband being questioned by the prosecution could create another major legal and political battle over evidence, privilege, procedure and the scope of his testimony.
BusinessMirror also reported that prosecutors were discussing the possibility of calling Carpio, while noting that he had not yet been formally finalized as part of the prosecution’s witness lineup at the time of the report.
That means one of the biggest questions remains unanswered:
Will Mans Carpio actually take the witness stand?
For now, prosecutors are keeping that option open.
What Happens Next?
The House prosecution panel is continuing to prepare evidence and witnesses for the unexplained wealth allegations against Vice President Sara Duterte.
With potentially dozens of witnesses, financial records, bank officials and government agencies expected to play a role, Article 2 could become one of the most complicated and closely scrutinized parts of the impeachment proceedings.
And if prosecutors ultimately decide to call Mans Carpio as a hostile witness, the trial could enter an entirely new phase.
The husband of the Vice President could suddenly find himself facing direct questions from the very prosecutors seeking to establish the allegations against his wife.
Whether that happens — and what he could be asked to explain — may become one of the defining moments in the Sara Duterte impeachment case.
The allegations against Vice President Duterte remain subject to the impeachment process, and she is entitled to answer the accusations and challenge the evidence presented against her.
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