Senator Robin Padilla challenges prosecutors to investigate his own expenses during Sara Duterte impeachment trial

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
November 13, 2026

Photo courtesy: Senate of the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Robinhood Padilla challenged prosecutors in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial to examine his personal spending after questions were raised about whether the vice president’s family was living within the modest lifestyle expected of public officials.

The exchange unfolded during the 43rd day of the impeachment trial on November 12, when prosecutors questioned expenses linked to Duterte’s husband, lawyer Manases Carpio.

Defense witness Chadrin Parian testified that Carpio spent ₱256,882 on basketball shoes for members of Elite Philippines, a youth basketball team that participated in a competition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2025.

Carpio, who serves as a co-parent and manager of the team, reportedly purchased the shoes from a Nike store.

During cross-examination, prosecutor Reynaldo Robles questioned whether such spending reflected the simple and modest lifestyle required of public officials and their families.

Padilla then challenged prosecutors to apply the same scrutiny to other government officials, including members of Congress.

He questioned whether some lawmakers owned luxury vehicles worth between ₱16 million and ₱22 million, asking Robles about a black Mercedes-Benz wagon.

The senator argued that officials should also examine the lifestyles of their colleagues before questioning others.

Padilla went further by inviting prosecutors to investigate his own spending.

“Nung kailan lang po gumastos ako P900,000. Gusto nyo po, imbestigahan nyo kung saan ko dinala,” Padilla said.

He also cited what he described as financial assistance for shooting victims in Tacloban and South Cotabato, claiming he spent ₱300,000 and ₱340,000, respectively.

Those amounts were disclosed by Padilla during the hearing and have not been independently verified.

The senator also called for the passage of a Freedom of Information law, arguing that greater public access to government records could help identify officials whose lifestyles may be inconsistent with their lawful income.

Spending questioned in impeachment trial

The exchange came as Duterte’s defense presented witnesses to explain financial transactions being examined in the impeachment proceedings.

Aside from the basketball shoes, prosecutors questioned a restaurant transaction in Japan amounting to approximately ₱205,000.

Defense witness Anel Martin Antero, a lawyer and friend of Carpio, testified that the expense covered a meal shared by 11 people. According to Antero, Carpio initially paid the bill using his credit card, while the other diners later reimbursed their shares.

Prosecutors questioned the absence of supporting records showing that the reimbursements had been made.

The Senate is currently examining the remaining impeachment charge involving allegations of unexplained wealth and incomplete financial disclosures.

House prosecutors previously alleged that Duterte accumulated at least ₱817.87 million in undeclared assets and unexplained wealth between 2022 and 2025.

Duterte has denied wrongdoing, while her legal team has challenged the prosecution’s evidence.

Padilla’s remarks did not constitute a formal request for an investigation into his finances. No finding of wrongdoing against him or Carpio resulted from the exchanges described during the hearing.