House panel drops request for VP Sara Duterte's admission on bank accounts

The House prosecution panel on Monday withdrew its request for Vice President Sara Duterte to admit ownership of the bank accounts covered by records submitted to the Senate impeachment court.

In lieu of the request, House prosecutor Chel Diokno of the Akbayan party-list asked the defense to enter into a stipulation regarding the authenticity and provenance of the financial records.

Diokno proposed that both sides agree on three key points: that the bank accounts exist, that the records were submitted in compliance with subpoenas issued by the impeachment court, and that the documents are genuine copies of official bank records. He noted that such an agreement would streamline the proceedings by eliminating the need to present witnesses to establish uncontested facts.

“The request for admission is not being invoked to alter the burden of proof or to compel the respondent to establish the prosecution’s case, nor will it have that effect,” Diokno explained during Day 30 of the trial. “Its purpose is simply to narrow the issues and avoid the needless presentation of witnesses and evidence on matters that are not genuinely disputed.”

Diokno added that the prosecution was prepared to drop its original request for admission entirely if the defense accepted the proposed stipulations.

Defense lead counsel Shiela Sison rejected the proposal, invoking jurisprudence dating back to 1905, 1937, and 1969, along with the constitutional privilege against self-incrimination. Sison argued that compelling Duterte to admit ownership of the accounts was tantamount to forced self-incrimination.

“The court has consistently held that an admission is akin to testimony—that is why it is called an admission,” Sison stated.

Despite the prosecution's willingness to withdraw the motion, Senate impeachment court Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero announced that the tribunal would still issue a formal ruling on the original request for admission to provide clear guidance for both parties moving forward.