MANILA — The House prosecution panel has identified several witnesses for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, particularly for the Article on unexplained wealth, Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said.

In a report, it said that Ridon, the lead prosecutor for the said article, said the panel is currently vetting the list of witnesses who will be presented during the Senate impeachment proceedings.

“Pasok pa rin po yung previous House proceedings resource persons. So Ombudsman, SEC, yun pong NBI for other cases. AMLC, masasalang,” he said.

He added that the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is still being considered as part of the witness lineup.

“Ang BIR, pinagpapasyahan pa po namin kung isasalang namin sa trial… It’s the call of the panel kung sino po yung isasalang. Kasi kung kaya na po naming mapatunayan yung unexplained wealth, for example, SALN violations, doon po sa mga listahan na meron na po kami, we can stop at that point,” Ridon said.

When asked about confidence in securing a conviction even without the BIR, Ridon said the panel believes the case can stand on its own.

“I think we can secure a conviction on unexplained wealth. But presenting the BIR documents would corroborate much of what had been discussed in the AMLC reports. And yung bank accounts will be presented during the trial,” he said.

He also said that the opening of a sealed document box submitted by the BIR would depend on the Senate impeachment court.

“That will also undertake a voting by the Senate Impeachment Court,” he added.

Ridon said the final list of witnesses and evidence will be finalized during the pre-trial stage, expected around mid-June.

He also said the prosecution team is working with volunteer financial experts, including accountants and auditors, to review the documents.

The House prosecution panel is also planning a nationwide campus tour ahead of the trial, which Ridon likened to public interest seen during the 2000–2001 impeachment of former president Joseph Estrada.