The prosecution called Justice Amparo M. Cabotaje-Tang as its first witness for Article II. She took the oath and identified herself as a retired Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice.
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Witness record
September 14, 2026
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Justice Amparo M. Cabotaje-Tang
Retired Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice
The prosecution offered her testimony as legal framework on anti-corruption laws, SALN disclosure, and constitutional restrictions on high executive officials. It described her service as Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice from 2013 to 2024, following 30 years in the Office of the Solicitor General.
Cabotaje-Tang distinguished hidden, unexplained, and ill-gotten wealth. She said wealth acquired during incumbency that is grossly disproportionate to salary, lawful income, or legitimately acquired property may give rise to a rebuttable presumption.
She testified that cash on hand and cash in bank must be specifically declared in a SALN. She also said an omission alone does not establish unexplained wealth because the public officer must have an opportunity to explain it.
Answering Senator-Judge Risa Hontiveros, Cabotaje-Tang identified the conditions for the prima-facie presumption: public-officer status, acquisition during incumbency, and property grossly disproportionate to salary, lawful income, or legitimately acquired sources.
On cross-examination, Cabotaje-Tang said she had made no conclusion of fact or law regarding this case and had no personal knowledge of whether Vice President Sara Duterte had amassed unexplained wealth. Asked whether she had been promised anything in exchange for testifying, she replied: "My testimony is not for sale, sir."
After direct examination, cross-examination, redirect examination, and senator-judge interventions, Presiding Officer Escudero thanked Cabotaje-Tang and excused her from the witness stand.