Sara Duterte impeachment trial: Clerk of court finishes ARs comparison

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate impeachment court, particularly the clerk of court, has finished comparing copies of acknowledgment receipts (ARs) held by both the prosecution and defense as it tackles Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds.

The comparison came per the request of the impeachment court as a dispute arose during the prosecution’s presentation of state auditor Xylene Mae del Campo when she was asked to authenticate almost 5,000 ARs.

READ: Duterte trial: Escudero to rule on counsels’ public statements on case

According to presiding officer and Senator-judge Francis “Chiz” Escudero during the 16th day of Duterte’s impeachment trial, the completed comparison showed that there are 3,616 common ARs, 2,666 pertaining to the Office of the Vice President and 950 pertaining to the Department of Education.

“We note, however, that out of the 4,492 ARs of the prosecution, 876 have no counterpart ARs from the respondent,” said Escudero.

“We shall be furnishing both parties of the clerk of court’s findings as well as the senator-judges for your information and reference,” he added.

All this developed as the defense refused to stipulate on the voluminous receipts, thus the impeachment court had to intervene by asking the parties to cross-check the copies of the documents the prosecution will present. /mr