MANILA: Impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte (pic) continued on Wednesday (April 22) with lawmakers expected to scrutinise her financial records as part of an inquiry into the complaints that may weigh on her political ambitions.
Lawmakers examining the complaints filed will review several financial documents, including her statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN), tax filings and business records, to assess allegations she amassed wealth beyond her declared income amid a broader inquiry into accusations of wrongdoing against the nation’s second-highest official.
Representatives from the Office of the Ombudsman, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Anti-Money Laundering Council and Securities and Exchange Commission are expected to face the House committee on justice to be questioned by lawmakers as part of the impeachment proceedings.
“Some of [the documents] are very interesting,” Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon said on Tuesday, as he alleged the Vice President or a company linked to her may have committed perjury when her name was omitted from corporate records.
Former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV is also expected to appear before the 39-member congressional panel, where he will testify on his allegations that the vice president and her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, had joint bank accounts through which millions of pesos allegedly flowed.
“I understand that he will be giving testimony with respect also to unexplained wealth and non-disclosure in the SALN,” Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said on Monday.
Wednesday’s hearing will be the third leg of impeachment proceedings against Vice President Duterte, a stage that will determine whether allegations of wrongdoing have merit as she plans a run for the presidency in 2028.
At least 106 lawmakers must support the articles of impeachment if complaints against the Vice President are elevated to the House floor, before they can be transmitted to the Senate, which will sit as an impeachment court.
A conviction there could remove Duterte from office and also forbid her from holding public posts again.
Allegations fueling the impeachment drive include claims she misused hundreds of millions of pesos in confidential funds from the Office of the Vice President and the Education department when she was its secretary.
Also included were accusations that Duterte plotted to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the first lady and a former House speaker, while also alleging she conspired to destabilize the government. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
