MANILA — The impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte have shifted into what lawmakers described as a “forensic truth” phase, as the House Committee on Justice begins examining documentary evidence such as SALN, tax, and financial records.

Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro, chair of the committee, said Wednesday’s hearing moves away from testimonial accounts and toward a detailed review of official documents, including records from oversight agencies.

“Today, we expect further evidence, from the Office of the Ombudsman, from the BIR, from the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission), and especially from the AMLC,” she said in her opening statement.

Luistro said the panel is now focusing on statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filings, and reports from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) for comparison and analysis.

She said the proceedings are now centered on “test[ing] discrepancies through hard records, not competing narratives.”

“And numbers, unlike people, do not have motives. Numbers do not lie,” she said, adding that the inquiry is now dealing with verifiable data rather than opinion or messaging.

Luistro stressed that the records under review involve public funds and the expectation that these are used lawfully.

She added that once SALN, BIR, and AMLC documents are examined side by side, they may reveal inconsistencies that cannot be dismissed through public statements.

“Because numbers, once laid bare, speak with a clarity that cuts through noise, and when they point to a discrepancy, they do not whisper. They demand to be answered,” she said.

Luistro also said the committee would continue to follow the evidence regardless of external pressures.

“At ang direksyon natin ngayon ay simple, ngunit matibay: we follow the evidence, wherever it leads. Hindi tayo magpapadala sa ingay. Hindi tayo lilihis sa proseso,” she said.

“Let the evidence speak. Let the numbers testify. Let the chips fall where they may,” she added.