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Advocates Philippines
Barbers: Financial Records Won't Automatically Prove VP Duterte Guilty
Photo credit: House of Representatives of the Philippines
The House prosecution panel clarified that its request to subpoena Vice President Sara Duterte’s financial records is not an attempt to declare her guilty, but a move to allow the Senate Impeachment Court to examine evidence before making any decision on the allegations against her.
Trial spokesperson and impeachment adviser Ace Barbers said obtaining financial documents is part of the constitutional process and should not be interpreted as proof of wrongdoing.
“Hindi ibig sabihin na guilty na ang respondent kapag isinubpoena natin itong mga dokumentong ito,” Barbers stressed.
The prosecution is seeking access to Duterte’s bank records, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) documents, and Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) reports as part of Article II of the impeachment complaint, which alleges that the Vice President accumulated wealth disproportionate to her lawful income and failed to properly disclose assets.
According to Barbers, these documents are being requested so senator-judges can independently assess whether the allegations have merit.
“Ang ibig pong sabihin nito ay puwedeng suriin ng Impeachment Court, ng mga senator-judges, itong mga pieces of evidence na sa aming paniwala ay mahalaga,” he explained.
He also noted that the BIR records remained sealed during the House proceedings, adding that the Senate impeachment trial is the appropriate venue to determine whether the documents are relevant and admissible as evidence.
“Kung gusto nating makita ang katotohanan, sana makita natin itong mga ebidensyang ito,” Barbers appealed.
Barbers said allowing the presentation of financial records would benefit both the prosecution and the defense, as the documents could either support the allegations or help disprove them.
“Ang mahalaga dito, ang aming panawagan ay makita ang ebidensya, mailatag ang ebidensya, masuri ng ating Impeachment Court judges or senator-judges,” he noted.
The House prosecution expects the senator-judges to hear arguments from both parties before deciding whether to issue subpoenas for the requested financial records.
“Nang sa ganoon, makapagbuo sila ng conclusion at decision pagdating ng panahon,” Barbers explained.
“Kung maaari, gusto nating makita kung gumagana ba ang ating accountability mechanism sa pamamagitan ng pagpapakita ng ating mga ebidensya,” he added.
Trial spokesperson and impeachment adviser Ace Barbers said obtaining financial documents is part of the constitutional process and should not be interpreted as proof of wrongdoing.
“Hindi ibig sabihin na guilty na ang respondent kapag isinubpoena natin itong mga dokumentong ito,” Barbers stressed.
The prosecution is seeking access to Duterte’s bank records, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) documents, and Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) reports as part of Article II of the impeachment complaint, which alleges that the Vice President accumulated wealth disproportionate to her lawful income and failed to properly disclose assets.
According to Barbers, these documents are being requested so senator-judges can independently assess whether the allegations have merit.
“Ang ibig pong sabihin nito ay puwedeng suriin ng Impeachment Court, ng mga senator-judges, itong mga pieces of evidence na sa aming paniwala ay mahalaga,” he explained.
He also noted that the BIR records remained sealed during the House proceedings, adding that the Senate impeachment trial is the appropriate venue to determine whether the documents are relevant and admissible as evidence.
“Kung gusto nating makita ang katotohanan, sana makita natin itong mga ebidensyang ito,” Barbers appealed.
Barbers said allowing the presentation of financial records would benefit both the prosecution and the defense, as the documents could either support the allegations or help disprove them.
“Ang mahalaga dito, ang aming panawagan ay makita ang ebidensya, mailatag ang ebidensya, masuri ng ating Impeachment Court judges or senator-judges,” he noted.
The House prosecution expects the senator-judges to hear arguments from both parties before deciding whether to issue subpoenas for the requested financial records.
“Nang sa ganoon, makapagbuo sila ng conclusion at decision pagdating ng panahon,” Barbers explained.
“Kung maaari, gusto nating makita kung gumagana ba ang ating accountability mechanism sa pamamagitan ng pagpapakita ng ating mga ebidensya,” he added.
Jul 17, 2026
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