Millions Under Microscope: Sara Duterte's Impeachment Trial Turns to Bank Records
Prosecutors Zero In on Wealth of VP and Her Husband as Defense Signals Confidence
MANILA — The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte entered a critical financial phase this week, with senators sitting as judges beginning to examine bank records belonging to the vice president and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio. The proceedings, which resumed October 7 and continued through October 9, have shifted from legal arguments to the paper trail of millions of pesos in deposits — a development that could define the trajectory of the case.
At the center of Wednesday's session was a P41.7-million manager's check drawn from a Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) account. Prosecutors presented the document as part of a broader effort to establish a pattern of unexplained wealth, but the defense quickly pushed back. According to lawyer Poa, the check bore the signature of the former president — not Sara Duterte — a detail the defense argued undermines the prosecution's narrative linking the funds directly to the vice president.
Millions in the Bank, Year After Year
The trial has focused on what prosecutors describe as persistent, substantial balances in accounts tied to Duterte and Carpio. The pattern, they argue, is inconsistent with the couple's declared income — a key element in establishing the alleged offense. The defense, however, has expressed confidence that it can explain the deposits, framing the records as lawful and traceable.
A Food Company and P319 Million from China
Separate but related testimony added a new dimension to the case. Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV alleged that a food company partly owned by Carpio received P319 million from China. According to Trillanes, the company took in P150 million in 2019 and disbursed the final P8.42 million in 2020. He characterized the donation as a public event that was reported at the time — a claim the defense is expected to challenge in the coming sessions.
Context: An Impeachment Trial Unlike Any Other
The proceedings mark a historic moment in Philippine politics. The Senate, convened as an impeachment court, is weighing allegations that could remove the country's second-highest official from office. The case has polarized public opinion, with supporters of the vice president calling the trial a political witch hunt and critics insisting that no one — regardless of surname — is above accountability.
The financial evidence phase is particularly significant because it moves the trial beyond rhetorical clashes into documentary territory. Bank records, manager's checks, and corporate filings are harder to dismiss than testimony, and both sides know it.
Analysis: What the Numbers Mean
The P41.7-million manager's check is a double-edged exhibit. If the prosecution can trace it to Duterte's influence or benefit, it strengthens the case for unexplained wealth. If the defense can show it belonged to another signatory's transaction — as Poa's cross-examination suggests — the exhibit may backfire, handing the defense a narrative of prosecutorial overreach.
Similarly, the China-linked donation allegation is explosive but requires corroboration. Trillanes has a history of making high-profile accusations, some of which have led to investigations and others that have stalled in court. The defense will likely demand documentary proof of the source and purpose of the funds.
What's clear is that the trial is now in its most consequential stretch. The Senate's decision will hinge not on headlines but on whether the paper trail connects the dots between the deposits and the office the vice president holds.
What's Next
Live coverage of the trial continues October 9, with more bank records expected to be presented. The defense is expected to call its own witnesses to explain the transactions, and the prosecution may seek to introduce additional corporate documents. For now, the millions remain the story — and the burden of explanation rests on both sides.
This is a developing story. Updates will follow as the trial progresses.
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