MANILA — The House prosecution team said Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s first week of presenting evidence in her impeachment trial failed to meet expectations, noting that 18 of the 24 scheduled witnesses were dropped or dispensed with and no major evidence was presented to counter allegations of ₱818 million in unexplained wealth.

“Nasaksihan po natin ang hindi explosive na pag-uumpisa ng presentation of evidence ng defense,” Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro, the House Committee on Justice chairperson and lead prosecutor, said at a press briefing.

Luistro said prosecutors had expected stronger testimony to challenge the findings of forensic accounting expert Alexander Cabrera, who identified at least ₱817.87 million in alleged undeclared assets and unexplained wealth from 2022 to 2025.

“Ang anticipation namin mataas. Ang expectation namin, explosive ang testigo, ang ebidensya,” she said.

The defense encountered an early setback when constitutional law expert Ralph Sarmiento, initially expected to be among its key witnesses, declined to testify.

Sarmiento cited his desire to preserve the independence of his constitutional scholarship and the impartiality of his legal views. His withdrawal meant the defense would no longer present his expert testimony on constitutional issues surrounding Duterte’s impeachment.

The defense also removed all 16 bank officials from its witness list, including Bank of the Philippine Islands senior vice president Paul Roderick Ysmael. The officials were expected to testify on financial records involving Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio.

Defense lawyer Michael Poa said their testimonies were no longer necessary and that withdrawing them would save the court time.

Manila Rep. Joel Chua, a member of the prosecution team, questioned the decision, saying prosecutors had expected the bank officials to address substantial deposits and transactions presented during the trial.

“Ang inaasahan nga po natin, [may mga testigo na] sasagot ng mga malalaking deposit na ipinresenta ng prosecution sa bangko,” Chua said.

The defense likewise dispensed with the testimony of Matina Crossing Barangay Captain Cindy Colina, who was supposed to establish the official and alternative names of the Davao City barangay where a disputed property is located.

The proposed testimony of Quezon City prosecutor Vimar Barcellano, which concerned the dismissal of a grave coercion case against Duterte, was also dropped following a stipulation.

Only six defense witnesses eventually testified during the four hearing days from November 9 to 12.

They included Davao City Assessor Jaime Adalin and Samal City Assessor John Kenneth Enumerables, who testified on properties questioned by the prosecution and their inclusion in Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.

Davao City Accountant Vingelin Bajan was presented to explain accounting records and financial transactions involving Duterte and Carpio.

Suzette Balucanag-Punay, in-house counsel for GenCorp Industries Inc. and Metro City Chow Foods Corp., testified on Duterte’s business interests in the companies, including payments she received from GenCorp.

The final two witnesses were lawyer Anel Martin Antero, who explained a ₱205,007 restaurant bill in Japan paid by Carpio, and Chadrin Parian, who testified about ₱256,882 worth of Nike shoes Carpio purchased in Malaysia for young basketball players.

Luistro said she was frustrated by the testimonies, particularly when some witnesses struggled to answer questions from senator-judges.

“Ako, upon hearing all these witnesses, I’m frustrated. Sapagkat hindi substantial ang naging testimony nila,” she said.

However, she declined to prejudge the eight to 10 additional witnesses the defense intends to present.

“With all due respect to the defense, let us give them the benefit of the doubt,” Luistro said.

She urged Duterte’s legal team to present witnesses with personal knowledge of the disputed assets, financial transactions and business interests when the trial resumes on November 19.

“We look forward that come November 19, sa resumption ng trial, they will be presenting relevant, competent witnesses,” Luistro said.