THE DEFENSE counsel in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte challenged the prosecution’s presentation of a ₱6-million Davao property linked to her husband, arguing that the asset was not concealed and highlighting that the witness had no direct knowledge of the Vice President’s official financial disclosures.
During cross-examination on Day 32 of the Senate proceedings on Thursday, October 1, defense attorney Lindon Bacquel pressed Davao City Register of Deeds IV Atty. Kathy Florence Baldonado after she turned over land records for a 379-square-meter property in Barrio Matina registered under Atty. Manasseh “Mans” Carpio.
Under questioning by Bacquel, Baldonado admitted that she possessed no personal knowledge regarding Vice President Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), nor her net worth or financial and business interests.
The defense also focused on the geographic designation of the property. When asked, Baldonado stated she was unaware that Matina Crossing is locally designated as Barangay 74-A in Davao City.
Following her admission, Bacquel reiterated his manifestation asking the Senate Impeachment Court to take mandatory judicial notice of official geographic divisions in the Philippines—specifically that Matina Crossing and Barangay 74-A refer to the same locality, which the defense maintains is properly accounted for in the Vice President’s SALN disclosures.
House prosecutor Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores countered that Matina is a broad geographic area encompassing several distinct villages and subdivisions.
Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero noted the prosecution and defense arguments, stating that the impeachment court will review the geographic records and tax declarations to verify the location entries in question.
The cross-examination followed direct testimony, where Baldonado confirmed that Carpio acquired the Matina land for ₱6 million in July 2024 and subsequently mortgaged it for ₱8 million in August 2024.
House prosecutors contend the land acquisition represents an undeclared real estate asset under Article II of the Articles of Impeachment.
