The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The House prosecution panel will begin presenting two former Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) branch managers as its first witnesses under Article I of the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, which centers on the alleged misuse and irregular disbursement of confidential funds.
House prosecution legal spokesperson and private prosecutor Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. said the prosecution has identified its initial witnesses through motions and manifestations submitted to the Senate impeachment court.
The court has directed former LandBank-Shaw Boulevard branch manager Violeta Constantino and former LandBank-Department of Education (DepEd) branch manager Nenita Camposano to appear when the impeachment trial resumes on July 29.
Tolosa said the two former bank officials are expected to testify on transactions involving confidential funds withdrawn through their respective LandBank branches.
The prosecution has also informed the court of additional witnesses who will be presented in the succeeding stages of the trial.
Article I of the Articles of Impeachment accuses Duterte of culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust over the alleged misuse, misappropriation, and irregular disbursement of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education.
The allegations remain subject to proof before the impeachment court. Duterte’s defense team will have the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses, challenge documentary evidence, and present its own evidence.
The Senate impeachment court has likewise authorized the prosecution to call Marivic Pareja of the House Legislative Archives and Museum Management Service to authenticate congressional records, including transcripts and video recordings of previous House committee hearings related to the confidential funds issue.
Tolosa said the prosecution continues to prepare additional witnesses and documentary evidence to establish the movement, withdrawal, custody, and reported liquidation of the confidential funds.
Under the impeachment trial calendar, the prosecution has been allotted up to 30 days to present evidence under Article I, although Tolosa said the panel intends to streamline its presentation whenever possible without compromising the strength of its case.