Philippines VP Sara Duterte impeachment trial sees push for tax records, witness changes, video confession

Former Senate President Franklin Drilon urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to use his authority under the National Internal Revenue Code to open and publish Vice President Sara Duterte’s bank and tax records, arguing that disclosure would settle questions in the ongoing impeachment trial.

Defense spokesperson Michael Poa said that removing OVP Chief of Staff Zuleika Lopez and House security official Capt. Belinda Bello as witnesses could speed the proceedings, noting the defense is already prepared for all articles of impeachment, with focus on the first article concerning alleged misuse of confidential funds.

Private prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan asserted that the defense’s reliance on a marked video showing Duterte’s alleged threats constitutes an implicit confession, reinforcing the recording’s authenticity for the fourth article of impeachment.