Defense witnesses clarify Mans Carpio’s big credit card purchases

Detailed summary

Two witnesses explain Carpio's expensive credit card charges in Japan and Malaysia

Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero makes a ruling during Day 41 of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on November 10, 2026.

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MANILA, Philippines — The defense counsel of Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday, November 12, sought to clarify the circumstances behind the Vice President, and her husband, Mans Carpio’s massive single credit card purchases, previously flagged by a financial forensic analyst.

Lawyer Alex Cabrera, an expert witness the prosecution tapped to analyze Duterte’s financial records, in October estimated that the Vice President had P817 million in undeclared wealth from 2022 to 2025. Part of Cabrera’s report is the couple’s transactions worth hundreds of thousands of pesos, such as ¥489,000 at a restaurant in Ginza, Tokyo, Japan and P256,000 at the Nike Pavilion in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

On Day 43 of the impeachment trial, the defense presented witnesses to explain the purchases, including the couple’s long-time friend lawyer Anel Martin Antero, who testified that Carpio’s nearly P200,000 credit card bill was due to their group meal in Japan in May 2023.

“We paid and pitched in for the meal but it just so happened that we used Atty. Mans’ credit card,” Antero told the impeachment court.

The prosecution tried to cast doubt on the witness’ credibility, establishing Antero’s long-term friendship with the couple, through a series of social media posts. Antero was likewise asked for photos or documentations proving his payment. He denied having any.

In his redirect examination, defense lawyer Lindon Bacquel went straight to the point, asking the witness point blank if he would lie for Carpio and Duterte.

“Would you lie for Manases Carpio?” Bacquel asked, prompting prosecution lawyer Amado Ligutan to object and remind the defense lawyer on the rules for redirect.

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