Luistro to turn over evidence on withdrawn Sara Duterte charges to Ombudsman
HOUSE prosecution lead Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro on Tuesday said evidence supporting the three withdrawn impeachment charges against Vice President Sara Duterte would be turned over to the Office of the Ombudsman for possible criminal prosecution.
Luistro assured the public that the withdrawal of the charges would not derail efforts to hold Duterte accountable, as the House prosecution continues to pursue the remaining unexplained wealth allegation before the Senate impeachment court.
“Wala pong nasasayang. Tuloy po ang Article II on unexplained wealth sa impeachment court at tuloy din po ang pagpapanagot kaugnay ng grave threat, ng confidential fund at ng bribery sa iba’t ibang ahensya naman ng ating pamahalaan,” Luistro said at a press briefing.
The Senate impeachment court approved the withdrawal of the three articles on Oct. 13, paving the way for the prosecution to focus on the unexplained wealth charge while other government agencies pursue allegations that fall within their respective jurisdictions.
Luistro said the prosecution welcomed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla’s plan to examine evidence presented during the impeachment proceedings, particularly documents involving the alleged misuse of confidential funds and bribery.
She added that the prosecution was ready to furnish the Ombudsman with copies of the evidence upon the issuance of a formal subpoena.
The allegations involving confidential funds include the P612.5 million allocated to the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education during Duterte’s tenure. Luistro recalled that the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, chaired by Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua during the 19th Congress, had investigated the expenditures and submitted its findings to the Ombudsman.
The anti-graft body may conduct further investigations and file appropriate charges before the Sandiganbayan if warranted by the evidence. The separate allegations involving grave threats are also the subject of proceedings before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.
“When we say transparency and accountability, it does not pertain only to the impeachment process,” Luistro said, stressing that accountability efforts could continue through other legal proceedings.
Meanwhile, the House prosecution is preparing its formal offer of evidence on the remaining unexplained wealth charge ahead of the Oct. 23 deadline. The defense will be given an opportunity to object before the Senate impeachment court determines which documents and testimony will be admitted.
The prosecution previously presented bank records, tax documents, corporate filings and forensic findings identifying approximately P817.87 million in allegedly unexplained wealth involving Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio, from 2022 to 2025.
Luistro said the prosecution was also using the break in impeachment proceedings to prepare for the cross-examination of defense witnesses when the trial resumes on Nov. 9.
“Finally ay nagkaroon ng break ang impeachment trial, but nonetheless, I wish to share to the public, tuloy-tuloy po ang preparation ng prosecution,” she said, adding that the team was preparing for the defense witnesses scheduled to appear before the Senate impeachment court.
