Like a brother? Duterte’s defense witness has close ties to Mans Carpio

Detailed summary

'Whether the Vice President and her spouse is leading a modest life. This is central to the allegation of unexplained wealth," says prosecutor Amando Virgil Ligutan

WITNESS. Atty. Anel Martin Antero takes the witness stand on Day 43 of the impeachment trial of Sara Duterte on November 12, 2026.

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To explain lawyer Mans Carpio’s big purchases, the defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte brought in lawyer Anel Martin Antero to the witness stand on Thursday, November 12.

During his testimony, Antero attributed Carpio’s nearly P200,000 credit card bill in May 2023 to a group meal in Japan.

But instead of dwelling on the explanation, the prosecution used its allotted time for cross-examination to cast doubt on Antero’s credibility. Specifically, the prosecution doubled down on the lawyer’s close ties to the Dutertes.

Prosecutor Amando Virgil Ligutan displayed several of Antero’s social media posts that revealed his pro-Duterte leanings on different issues.

At one point, Ligutan also showed a post where Antero referred to Duterte’s 2026 impeachment complaint as “flimsy.”

After minutes of being in the hot seat, Antero finally admitted his close ties to Duterte and her husband Mans.

“Now, do you also confirm that you have a close relationship with Attorney Carpio? Close relationship this time, not merely acquaintance, close relationship, these are two different things,” said Ligutan. “Yes,” said Antero.

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