MANILA— The House prosecution team on Wednesday accused Vice President Sara Z. Duterte of continuing to engage in business and practice law while in office, citing her sworn financial disclosures, corporate records and tax returns as evidence of alleged violations of the Constitution.

During a presentation reviewing evidence submitted at the impeachment trial, prosecution adviser and spokesperson Ace Barbers said documents from the Vice President’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), corporate General Information Sheets (GIS) and tax returns showed her continued involvement in business and professional activities.

“SALN, GIS at tax returns ayon sa mga papel na iyan, si VP Sara ay patuloy na nagnenegosyo at kumikita pa rin bilang abogado na isang tahasang paglabag sa ating mga batas at sa ating Saligang Batas,” Barbers said.

Barbers, a former Surigao del Norte representative, said the presentation aimed to remind the public of the prosecution’s evidence before the defense begins presenting its case on November 9.

He cited Article VII, Section 13 of the Constitution, which prohibits the President, Vice President, Cabinet members and their deputies from practicing another profession, participating in business or holding financial interests in government contracts while in office.

Among the records presented were Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) documents showing that Duterte remained a member of the board and executive committee of Metro City Chow Foods Corp. until 2025, three years after assuming the vice presidency.

Barbers also questioned Duterte’s declared interest in GenCorp Industries Inc., which appeared in her SALNs but was reportedly absent from the company’s GIS submitted to the SEC.

He said GenCorp had secured 49 government contracts, including transactions with the Davao City government, which is headed by Duterte’s brother, Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte.

The prosecution likewise raised questions about Cale88 Foods Corp., a company linked to the Vice President’s husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio.

Barbers said the reported sale of the company lacked an electronic Certificate Authorizing Registration (eCAR) from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and was not reflected in the buyer’s financial records.

“Sa parehong sitwasyon, iisa ang tanong: sino ang tunay na may-ari? Ang korte na ang bahalang magdesisyon dito,” Barbers said.

The prosecution also cited BIR records indicating that Duterte remained registered as a professional taxpayer under legal activities, with reported income of P1.06 million in 2024 and P1.08 million in 2025, separate from her salary as vice president.

Barbers said the BIR classified the amounts as professional income, while forensic accounting expert Alexander Cabrera considered them business income.

“Kung negosyo ito, ay bawal pa rin. Kahit nagbayad na ng tax, it will not legalize or justify the income,” he said.

Barbers maintained that the prosecution’s evidence was largely based on Duterte’s own sworn declarations and official records submitted to government agencies and banks.

“Well, unang-una, if I may quote, isang member ng prosecution team, defenseless ‘yung defense,” he said.

“Ibig sabihin, paano niyo po pasisinungalingan ang mga ebidensyang inilatag ng prosecution na ang mismong dokumentong inihain ay mula po mismo sa kampo ng defense?” he added.

He also expressed doubt that the defense could present evidence strong enough to counter the prosecution’s findings.

“But I personally believe na wala po silang ebidensya to controvert itong mga nailatag ng prosecution,” Barbers said.

He acknowledged, however, that the defense had yet to present its case and that the senator-judges would decide based on the evidence submitted by both sides.

“Kaya again, I’d like to say that it’s going to be difficult for the defense to dispute or probably even rebut itong mga evidence that we presented,” he said.

Duterte’s lawyers have disputed the prosecution’s evidence and its interpretation of the financial and corporate records.

The allegations form part of Article II, the remaining impeachment charge involving alleged unexplained wealth.

The defense is scheduled to begin presenting its evidence on November 9.