HOUSE prosecution spokesperson Ace Barbers on Wednesday accused Vice President Sara Duterte of violating the Constitution by allegedly continuing to engage in business and practice law while holding public office.
Barbers said documents presented during the impeachment proceedings, including Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), corporate General Information Sheets (GIS), and tax returns, showed that she continued earning from business and legal activities.
He cited Article VII, Section 13 of the Constitution, which prohibits the vice president and other covered government officials from practicing another profession, participating in business, or having financial interests in government contracts while in office.
According to Barbers, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) records showed that Duterte remained a member of the board and executive committee of Metro City Chow Foods Corp. until 2025, three years after assuming office as vice president.
He also questioned Duterte’s reported interest in GenCorp Industries Inc., which appeared in her SALNs but was allegedly not reflected in the company’s GIS filed with the SEC.
Barbers 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 spokesperson also raised questions about Cale88 Foods Corp., a company linked to Duterte’s husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio. He questioned the reported sale of the company, saying it lacked an electronic Certificate Authorizing Registration (eCAR) from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and was not reflected in the buyer’s financial records.
Barbers also cited BIR records showing that Duterte remained registered as a professional taxpayer under legal activities, reporting income of P1.06 million in 2024 and P1.08 million in 2025, apart from her salary as vice president.
He said the BIR classified the amounts as professional income, while forensic accounting expert Alexander Cabrera identified them as business income.
Barbers maintained that paying taxes does not make income from prohibited business or professional activities legal.
He expressed confidence in the prosecution’s case, saying much of its evidence came from Duterte’s own sworn declarations and official documents submitted to government agencies and banks.
He also questioned whether the defense could produce sufficient evidence to refute the prosecution’s findings, although he acknowledged that Duterte’s lawyers had yet to present their side.
The defense has challenged the prosecution’s evidence and its interpretation of Duterte’s financial and corporate records.
The allegations form part of Article II, the remaining impeachment charge involving alleged unexplained wealth.
The defense team is scheduled to begin presenting its evidence on November 9, after which the senator-judges will assess the arguments and evidence from both sides.
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