Financial analyst flags P11.35-M checks paid to Sara Duterte's dentist

Financial forensic analyst Alexander Cabrera, a witness presented by the prosecution, on Friday revealed that P11.35 million worth of checks was supposedly paid to the dentist of Vice President Sara Duterte.

On Day 37 of the impeachment trial, House prosecutor Rep. Chel Diokno presented parts of Cabrera’s summary report, which highlighted certain banking behaviors of the Vice President and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio “that may warrant further review and investigation.”

In the report, the witness noted several check payments with the payee's name being blacked out under a BDO checking account. He said he was able to list the names of the payees because they were still visible.

One of the names listed was Lourdes Lebosada, who supposedly received check payments amounting to P11.35 million.

Cabrera said that Lebosada, whom he identified as a dentist of the Vice President, was a partner of Carpio in Cale88 Foods Corporation.

“Si Ms. Lourdes Lebosada po ay ito po ang partner ni Atty. Mans Carpio sa kanyang business na CALE88. 47.5 percent po ‘yung kanilang ownership sa CALE88,” the witness said.

(Ms. Lourdes Lebosada is Atty. Mans Carpio’s partner in his business, CALE88. She holds a 47.5 percent ownership of CALE88.)

“Ang total po ng tseke na binayad po kay Ms. Lourdes Lebosada ay P11.35 million na sa palagay ko po ay hindi po ‘yan bayad sa pasta,” he added.

(The total amount of the checks paid to Ms. Lourdes Lebosada is P11.35 million—which, in my opinion, is not payment for dental fillings.)

Defense counsel Kristine Ferrer reacted to the statement of Cabrera, but Diokno himself immediately volunteered to have it stricken off the record.

Senate impeachment court presiding officer Francis Escudero then issued a reminder to the witness.

“The witness is reminded to kindly avoid unresponsive additions to the answer he will give to questions propounded by counsel,” Escudero told Cabrera.

The witness apologized for his remarks.

Diokno likewise asked Cabrera for a basis that Lebosada is the dentist of the Vice President.

“Meron po kaming nakitang Facebook post ng Lebosada Clinic kung saan magkasama si Dr. Lebosada at si VP Sara,” he answered.

(We saw a Facebook post from Lebosada Clinic showing Dr. Lebosada and VP Sara together.)

The photo of Lebosada and Duterte was flashed on the screen during the trial. —LDF, GMA News