MANILA — Lawmakers backing the renewed impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday said the proceedings will present new evidence, including bank records and a sworn affidavit, amid questions on whether the case contains fresh material.

Akbayan party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro Tinio, who endorsed separate complaints, made the remarks following the challenge raised by House Committee on Justice chairperson Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro and the National Unity Party regarding the need for new pieces of evidence.

“Yes, it is challenging. And I think we’re up to the challenge,” Cendaña said in an online interview.

“This is not a case of whether the allegations are new or old. Ito ay kaso ng hindi pa rin nasasagot ang mga alegasyong ito. And if Sara Duterte is good at something, it is running away from accountability,” he added.

Tinio echoed the sentiment, saying they are confident the complaints will pass scrutiny.

“We’re looking forward to the start of the impeachment proceeding, yung hearing ng Justice Committee at tingin namin dapat dito, walang problema both sa issue ng sufficiency in form and substance,” Tinio said.

Among the new pieces of evidence expected to be presented are Duterte’s bank records and the affidavit of Ramil Madriaga, who claims to have served as the vice president’s former aide.

“Yes, may mga bago. Kahit yung complaint natin, in-include natin yung affidavit ni Madriaga. In particular, may mga bahagi doon na nakaugnay sa paggamit ng P125 million in 11 days noong December 2022. So yes, may bago diyan na lalabas,” Tinio said.

The P125 million allegedly forms part of confidential funds reportedly spent within 11 days in December 2022.

Cendaña also pointed to alleged “unexplained wealth” that may surface once evidence is formally presented, particularly Duterte’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), and potentially her bank accounts.

“‘Yung unexplained wealth na makikita natin ’yan pag nasa panahon na tayo ng presentation ng evidence pagdating sa usapin ng kanyang SALN at hopefully, mabuksan yung kanilang bank accounts,” Cendaña said.

Bank deposits are generally protected under the Bank Secrecy Law. However, House Committee on Justice Vice Chairperson Bukidnon Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores said impeachment proceedings may fall under recognized exceptions.

“I know that that’s one of the exceptions on the Bank Secrecy Law. Yung AMLC din, na puwede ma-explore ’yon kung may impeachment cases,” Flores said in a February 25 interview.

Endorsers of the complaints have begun meeting with complainants in preparation for the House Committee on Justice hearing set on March 2. Cendaña said discussions are also underway among endorsers of the four complaints to coordinate their presentation of evidence.

“Well, there are a few conversations in terms of coming together,” Cendaña said.