Vice President Sara Duterte owns a total of 22 firearms, while her husband, Manases Carpio, has 29, a Philippine National Police official testified before the Senate Impeachment Court on Monday.
The prosecution in Duterte’s impeachment trial presented Police Major Joericson Sangalang, head of the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office records office, amid senators’ questions on the relevance of his testimony to the articles of impeachment.
In a press conference after the testimony, prosecution panel spokesperson Robert Ace Barbers alleged that the firearms, estimated to be worth P7 million, were not in Duterte’s statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth and would support allegations of unexplained wealth.
During the hearing, House prosecutor and San Juan Rep. Bel Zamora also said the guidelines for the SALN require that personal property registered with the appropriate government agency, such as firearms be declared individually.
Defense counsel Carlo Narvasa said the guidelines Zamora mentioned were the 2025 rules that would be applicable only to the 2026 SALN. Narvasa also said Sangalang cannot testify on the acquisition cost of the firearms.
Hence, Sangalang’s testimony would be of no value, he added.
Zamora was eventually allowed to present the witness, but was told to abbreviate the proceedings.
In his testimony, Sangalang said Duterte has 22 firearms: 14 pistols, 2 revolvers, a shotgun, and 5 rifles, three of which are Class A light weapons.
He said Carpio has 29 firearms: 16 pistols, 2 revolvers, a shotgun, and 10 rifles, one of which is a Class A light weapon.
He explained that Class A light weapons are firearms that have a caliber of up to 7.62 with automatic functions, meaning they are capable of continued bursts of fire.
He also said only law enforcement agencies can acquire such weapons under the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, but those who were able to acquire one before the law took effect can continue to own and register the firearm.
Sangalang said Duterte’s firearms are worth P2.18 million, while Carpio’s firearms are worth P5 million.
The estimate was based on a market survey on the price of guns, not necessarily the acquisition cost, he said.
Prior to Sangalang’s testimony, senators raised concern about the relevance of the information he would speak about.
Sen. Erwin Tulfo asked why the prosecution had to bring up the firearms when many other Filipinos own firearms.
Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri also noted that many senators also own firearms, and he does not see any violation in owning firearms.
“We’re looking for the bigger evidence that they want to present, if any,” Zubiri said.
Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano asked whether the guns “constitute a smoking gun.”