House prosecution adviser and spokesperson Robert "Ace" Barbers described the defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte as “defenseless,” claiming it lacks sufficient evidence to dispute the documents presented by the prosecution in the impeachment proceedings.
During a prosecution press conference on Wednesday, Barbers argued that the evidence submitted by the prosecution came from Duterte's own declarations and official records obtained from various government agencies, including her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), income tax returns (ITRs), and bank records.
"If I may quote, isang member ng prosecution team, defenseless yung defense. Ibig sabihin, paano n'yo po pasisinungalingan ang mga ebidensyang inilatag ng prosecution na ang mismong dokumentong inihain ay mula po mismo sa kampo ng defense," Barbers said.
He maintained that the documents included sworn declarations made by the Vice President herself, as well as financial records submitted to government agencies.
"Bank records will never lie. I don't think the bank managers will deny the existence of itong mga outstanding balances na kanilang inireport before the impeachment court," he added.
Barbers also questioned what evidence the defense could present to contradict the financial documents and records submitted by the prosecution.
"So, para sa akin, I don't want again to bind the members of the prosecution team, but I personally believe na wala po silang ebidensya to controvert itong mga nailatag ng prosecution," he said.
The House prosecution panel is seeking to substantiate the allegations against Duterte through documentary evidence as the impeachment proceedings continue.
