Mans Carpio's friend admits no proof of Japan dinner reimbursement

MANILA, Philippines — The friend of Vice President Sara Duterte’s husband said he has no proof that he partly reimbursed more than P200,000 of his credit card bill in Japan.

During his testimony on Thursday, November 12, lawyer Anel Antero, the witness presented by the defense panel, said the purchase was made for 11 individuals when he and Manases Carpio were dining at a restaurant in Ginza, Japan.

According to Antero, he was with Carpio and nine other law school friends when they dined in Ginza and used Carpio’s credit card to pay the bill.

The bill reportedly amounted to P205,007.29.

He said he later reimbursed Carpio with 40,000 Japanese yen, or around P16,000.

Antero also recalled that all 11 individuals who dined with Carpio had cash but were short of funds.

Prosecution lawyer Virgil Ligutan then questioned Antero on why, among the 11 individuals who dined with Carpio, the Vice President’s husband was the only one who offered to pay the bill.

Antero then said: “I don’t see anything magical about that, sir.”

“Ang totoo po niyan marami pong nag-volunteer na credit card nila ang gamitin, pero si Attorney Mans…” Antero added.

Ligutan then asked if Antero had proof that he partly reimbursed Carpio, to which Antero replied: “Wala po.” (There is none).

Prosecution forensic analyst Alexander Cabrera previously flagged the May 2023 Tokyo restaurant charge as an unusually large personal expenditure while examining the couple’s finances.

The prosecution connected it to allegations that Duterte amassed about P817.87 million in undeclared assets and income and failed to fully disclose her assets in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.

Ligutan also raised that the relevant question was not merely whether Carpio could afford the meal, but whether a single dinner worth P205,000 was consistent with the constitutional expectation that public officials and their families lead modest lives.

“This is central to the unexplained wealth, Your Honor. This is in the law, public officials and members of their family should lead a modest life. How is that irrelevant? Being the spouse of the Vice President does not make him immune from the requirements of leading a modest life, Your Honor,” Ligutan said.

This issue is being tackled under Article II of the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte.

The said article tackles allegations of ill-gotten wealth and non-declaration of her SALNs.

abtestabtest Chiz cautions senator-judges against harsh questioning of witnesses By Ian Laqui | 18 hours ago "An answer which may be unsatisfactory is not inherently contemptible." Headlines Stricter transport safety, security checks sought By Helen Flores | 13 days ago Senate committee on public services chairman Sen. Raffy Tulfo has urged agencies to ensure the safety of millions of people... Headlines LIVE: Sara Duterte impeachment trial, Nov. 12 By PhilstarLIVE | 1 day ago The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte resumes Thursday, November 12, with the defense set to present a representative... Headlines Persistent China-linked dredging in Zambales hit By Delon Porcalla | 8 hours ago   Opposition Rep. Leila de Lima again expressed exasperation over the continued large-scale dredging in Zambales, particularly... Headlines Latest More in Headlines Fact check: Viral quote fabricates drug war victim's sister plea to leave Hague Supreme Court orders probe into Basilan judge's killing in Zamboanga Lawyers tussle over VP spouse’s ‘lavish’ lifestyle Cyber attacks expose 85.9 million records in Q3 abtest LPG firms implement early price rollback By EJ Macababbad | 8 hours ago Liquefied petroleum gas players have cut product prices ahead of monthly scheduled adjustments as contract prices continue... Headlines Marcos-Trump bilateral meet slated on ASEAN sidelines By Pia Lee-Brago | 8 hours ago President Marcos and US President Donald Trump are scheduled to meet on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian... Headlines AMLC gets CA asset freeze order covering lawmaker, ex-official By Keisha Ta-Asan | 8 hours ago The Anti-Money Laundering Council has secured a freeze order from the Court of Appeals covering bank accounts and other properties... Headlines Greta Thunberg rejects Pax Silica By Josiah Antonio | 8 hours ago Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has joined calls to reject the US-led Pax Silica initiative. Headlines DPWH warns of sanctions on ‘aircon engineers’ By Ranier Allan Ronda | 8 hours ago Sanctions will be imposed on “aircon engineers,” regional directors and district engineers who fail to conduct... Headlines Recommended Bomba ni Sara November 13, 2026 - 12:00am Nipasalig si Bise Sara nga kapin sa duha ka tuig silang nangandam sa iyang depensa. HeadlinesSARA DUTERTE Periko sa China November 10, 2026 - 12:00am Tagsa ra si Bise Presidente Sara Duterte nga mosugyot og sulbad sa mga problema sa nasud. HeadlinesTRENDING Immigration and a divided Washington November 8, 2026 - 12:00am Imagine waking up after the 2026 midterms to a brand-new political reality: Democrats have flipped both the Senate and the House. President Donald Trump is still in the White House finishing out his second term,...r HeadlinesTRENDING Wa nay kapilian November 7, 2026 - 12:00am Sa kataposan, sa gusto niya o sa dili, bisan sa ka-feeling hawod, kay kumbinsido nga ang kapin sa 32 milyones ka boto nga nakuha niya niadtong 2022 maoy kinakusgang panagang sa bisan unsang pagsuway pagpalagpot niya...r HeadlinesSALNS next Recommended Bomba ni Sara Nipasalig si Bise Sara nga kapin sa duha ka tuig silang nangandam sa iyang depensa. 8 hours ago SARA DUTERTE Periko sa China Tagsa ra si Bise Presidente Sara Duterte nga mosugyot og sulbad sa mga problema sa nasud. 3 days ago TRENDING Immigration and a divided Washington Imagine waking up after the 2026 midterms to a brand-new political reality: Democrats have flipped both the Senate and the House. President Donald Trump is still in the White House finishing out his second term, but the dynamic in Washington just completely transformed overnight. If there is one issue where you will feel this political tectonic shift instantly, it is U.S. immigration policy. 5 days ago TRENDING Wa nay kapilian Sa kataposan, sa gusto niya o sa dili, bisan sa ka-feeling hawod, kay kumbinsido nga ang kapin sa 32 milyones ka boto nga nakuha niya niadtong 2022 maoy kinakusgang panagang sa bisan unsang pagsuway pagpalagpot niya sa puwesto, mapugos na si Bise Presidente Sara Duterte pagtubag sa mga pasangil batok niya. 6 days ago SALNS OK Are you sure you want to log out? Yes No X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!