MANILA, Philippines — The defense counsel of Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday, November 12, sought to clarify the circumstances behind the Vice President, and her husband, Mans Carpio’s massive single credit card purchases, previously flagged by a financial forensic analyst.
Lawyer Alex Cabrera, an expert witness the prosecution tapped to analyze Duterte’s financial records, in October estimated that the Vice President had P817 million in undeclared wealth from 2022 to 2025. Part of Cabrera’s report is the couple’s transactions worth hundreds of thousands of pesos, such as ¥489,000 at a restaurant in Ginza, Tokyo, Japan and P256,000 at the Nike Pavilion in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
On Day 43 of the impeachment trial, the defense presented witnesses to explain the purchases, including the couple’s long-time friend lawyer Anel Martin Antero, who testified that Carpio’s nearly P200,000 credit card bill was due to their group meal in Japan in May 2023.
“We paid and pitched in for the meal but it just so happened that we used Atty. Mans’ credit card,” Antero told the impeachment court.
“As I remember, I paid ¥40,000,” he said.
The prosecution tried to cast doubt on the witness’ credibility, establishing Antero’s long-term friendship with the couple, through a series of social media posts. Antero was likewise asked for photos or documentations proving his payment. He denied having any.
In his redirect examination, defense lawyer Lindon Bacquel went straight to the point, asking the witness point blank if he would lie for Carpio and Duterte.
“Would you lie for Manases Carpio?” Bacquel asked, prompting prosecution lawyer Amado Ligutan to object and remind the defense lawyer on the rules for redirect.
The court overruled the objection and allowed Antero to answer, who said he would not lie, citing his oath as a witness and lawyer.
“And that does not deserve re-cross examination, Your Honor,” said Ligutan.
His remarks were stricken off the records, however, following the defense’s objection.
The defense also presented Chadrin Parian, who testified that his children belong to the same basketball team of Carpio’s children, in a bid to explain the circumstances on the credit card charges incurred in a Nike store in Malaysia.
Parian said Carpio volunteered to pay for the shoes that the basketball team bought after a competition.
“You testified earlier that Atty. Mans paid for the whole purchase… do you think spending P256,000 is a good example for public officials’ kin to exhibit modest living?” House private prosecutor Reynaldo Robles asked the witness.
Chadrin Parian takes his oath before testifying on Day 43 of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on November 12, 2026. Senate Social Media Unit
Senator-judge Pia Cayetano criticized the prosecution over its line of questioning, saying it paints a picture that public officials should not extend help to other athletes since they are supposed to live a modest life.
“My children were six and nine years old when I served my first term as senator. If this happened then, you would impress upon me, that as a law-abiding citizen that I should not put my kids in sports because I will be criticized” Cayetano said.
Senator-judge Miguel “Migz” Zubiri called on the impeachment court to move past from the credit card expenditures and instead focus on other substantive issues, including the alleged remittances of China to Duterte-linked company Calle88.
“Let’s move on to other witnesses that can give us more substantive answers to the case at hand,” said Zubiri.
Duterte is being tried for Article II, which involves allegations of unexplained wealth. Part of the accusations is Cabrera’s forensic financial report.
Trial cut shortFollowing the defense’s dropping of a Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI) official, and the prosecution’s stipulation that Quezon City Prosecutor Vimar Barcellano can authenticate documents, the trial was adjourned past noon, cutting short its initial whole-day schedule.
In a related development, Senate impeachment court presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero called on all parties involved in the trial to “exercise restraint expected of the court” following exchanges in which some witnesses were criticized by senator-judges.
Escudero enumerated witness’ rights, citing Rule 132, Section 3 of the Rules on Evidence. – Rappler.com