MANILA, Philippines – The impeachment hearing against Vice President Sara Duterte at the House of Representatives enters its third day on Wednesday, April 22. Wednesday’s hearing seeks to shed light on the alleged unexplained wealth of the Vice President. The House justice committee is expected to evaluate Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth that will be turned over by the Ombudsman, as well as the income tax returns and Securities and Exchange Commission documents of her companies.
The panel also summoned former senator Antonio Trillanes IV to substantiate his claims that the Vice President and her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, maintained bank accounts containing hundreds of millions of pesos; and the Anti-Money Laundering Council to submit the bank records of the Vice President and her husband Mans Carpio. Last week’s hearing already zeroed in on the alleged confidential fund misuse of the Vice President, with the panel summoning star witness and self-confessed bagman Ramil Madriaga, who claimed he personally delivered the funds of around P125 million to various individuals in December 2022.
Justice committee member Zia Alonto Adiong previously said the panel is eyeing to wrap up its public hearings on April 29, after which a committee report may be transmitted to the plenary when the House officially reconvenes on May 4. The House has 60 session days from February 23 to resolve the complaints. If the committee report favors the move to impeach, a one-third vote in the House plenary will bring it to the Senate for a full trial.
Only a Senate conviction can result in Duterte’s removal and disqualification from public office. Bookmark this page to watch the hearing on Wednesday at 10 am. – Rappler.com