Photo credit: Congress PH

House prosecutors on Wednesday pushed back against attempts to limit scrutiny of Vice President Sara Duterte’s finances to the years after she assumed office, arguing that her current wealth cannot be properly assessed without looking at how her assets grew over nearly two decades.

The issue surfaced during the fourth day of evidence-marking proceedings before the Senate impeachment court, where prosecutors and defense lawyers continued identifying documents and exhibits that may be presented when the impeachment trial formally begins on July 6.

House prosecutor and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said the defense appeared to be seeking the exclusion of financial records covering the period before Duterte became vice president in 2022.

“I think we have to be very clear that you cannot reach P88.5 million in 2024 without starting from a particular date,” Ridon told reporters.

“Which is why 2007 up until 2024 are relevant dates relating to the current net worth of the VP which is specifically in issue on unexplained wealth,” he added.

One of the Articles of Impeachment approved by the House of Representatives accuses Duterte of accumulating unexplained wealth. The allegation has placed her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) and other financial documents at the center of the legal battle between the prosecution and defense.

Ridon maintained that examining only the vice president’s finances from 2022 onward would provide an incomplete picture of how her assets were acquired.

“I think ang position ho nila, everything prior to 2022 should be excluded,” Ridon said, referring to Duterte’s lawyers.

“Pero katulad ng sabi ko, hindi naman magiging multi-millionaire in a single day, in a single year. It should be built from somewhere,” he added.

According to records earlier presented before the House Committee on Justice, Duterte’s declared net worth increased from around P7.25 million in 2007 to P88.5 million in 2024. Lawmakers cited the growth in her assets, along with other financial disclosures and records, in supporting the impeachment article alleging unexplained wealth.

The House of Representatives impeached Duterte in February after more than 200 lawmakers endorsed the complaint. The charges include allegations of culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, misuse of confidential funds, and unexplained wealth.

The vice president has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and has described the impeachment effort as politically motivated. Her legal team has argued that the proceedings should remain focused on matters directly related to her tenure as vice president.

As part of the ongoing pre-trial process, both sides are currently marking documentary evidence and identifying witnesses who may testify during the proceedings. The Senate impeachment court is expected to finalize the list of admissible evidence before opening arguments begin next month.

The prosecution panel has signaled that Duterte’s financial disclosures and the origins of her assets will be among the key issues it intends to highlight during what is shaping up to be one of the country's most closely watched political trials in recent years.