Marcos' SALN cited in Sara Duterte's impeachment trial

The defense panel of Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday raised before the impeachment court President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.'s financial interests in some companies, as reflected in a Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), which the prosecution had objected to. This developed in the cross-examination of former Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang. Presented as an expert witness by the prosecution, Cabotaje-Tang earlier testified that the President and Vice President were barred from participating in any business because of the greater possibility of abuse of power in their respective offices as the country’s two highest government officials. Prosecutor Akbayan party-list Rep. Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno objected to the presentation of the SALN, saying the prosecution had no way of knowing “if what counsel is showing is an authenticated copy of the SALN. We have no way of knowing if that actually belongs to or was filed by the President.” Presiding officer Senator-Judge Francis “Chiz” Escudero allowed the question, saying the document could be properly marked at a later time. “A while ago, you mentioned that a President or a Vice President is absolutely prohibited from having financial interest in companies. Tama po ba? Dito po kasi sa SALN ni Presidente as of December 31, 2025, meron pong mga nakalistang…mga business and financial interests sa mga kumpanya,” Vinluan asked Tang. (A while ago, you mentioned that a President or a Vice President is absolutely prohibited from having financial interests in companies. Is that right? Because here in the President's SALN as of December 31, 2025, there are listed... business and financial interests in companies.) “So are you saying that this falls under what you mentioned about absolute prohibition in business and financial interest?” he added. Before Tang, a witness presented by the House prosecution panel, answered, Diokno cut off, reiterating his objections. “We have no way of knowing if what counsel is showing is an authenticated copy of the SALN; we have no way of knowing if that actually belongs to or was filed by the President,” Diokno said. Escudero said he believed the defense will be making the necessary marking “at the proper time.” Vinluan also stressed that the document is “publicly available” and was reported by a particular news outlet. “Just the fact that it’s publicly available and reported by the news does not authenticate it, Your Honor,” Diokno said. Vinluan countered, saying the presiding officer has already ruled on the matter. “I’m just responding, Your Honor, to the statement of the defense counsel. Ayoko pong makipag-away [I don’t want to fight],” Diokno said. Vinluan said, “Ako rin po [Me too].” Escudero said, “Not your character, Honorable Chel.” Tang opted not to answer the question from the defense. Vinluan, in response, said he respects the refusal of the former Sandiganbayan justice. Earlier during the trial, Tang explained that the President and Vice President are barred from participating in any business because of the greater possibility of abuse of power in their respective offices, being the country’s two highest government officials. –NB, GMA News