NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Carpio: House Can Probe VP Sara's Bank Records
Photo courtesy from PNA
Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said the House of Representatives has the authority to obtain the bank records of Vice President Sara Duterte through the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) as part of the ongoing impeachment proceedings.
Carpio emphasized that both the Constitution and congressional rules allow legislative bodies to issue subpoenas, including requests for financial documents and witness testimonies.
“Yes, because they have the power… any committee of the House or the Senate can issue subpoenas,” said Carpio.
He rejected claims from Duterte’s camp that the House Committee on Justice is conducting a “fishing expedition,” arguing that such limitations would prevent lawmakers from properly building a case.
“Ang House ay parang prosecutor. Hindi puwedeng umasa lang sa ebidensya ng complainant. Kung ganoon, walang mako-convict,” he stressed.
According to Carpio, the House must be able to gather its own evidence to determine whether probable cause exists. This includes accessing financial records that may reveal inconsistencies with a public official’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).
“Kung hindi tugma, puwedeng ma-forfeit ang sobra,” he explained.
He added that any discrepancies could potentially lead not only to impeachment but also to separate civil or criminal cases.
Carpio clarified that the proceedings are still in the investigation stage under the House and have not yet reached the trial phase, which is handled by the Senate. However, he stressed that the inquiry should not be reduced to a mere formality.
“Kung hindi sila makakapag-subpoena, paano nila malalaman kung may probable cause?” he asked.
He also dismissed allegations of grave abuse of discretion, noting that as long as the House follows its own rules, there is no constitutional violation.
“To stop the proceedings, kailangan may malinaw na constitutional violation. Wala silang maipakita,” he added.
For Carpio, the issue is clear: the House must be allowed to examine financial records, including AMLC data, to determine whether there are sufficient grounds for impeachment. Without this power, he warned, holding public officials accountable would lose its meaning.
Carpio emphasized that both the Constitution and congressional rules allow legislative bodies to issue subpoenas, including requests for financial documents and witness testimonies.
“Yes, because they have the power… any committee of the House or the Senate can issue subpoenas,” said Carpio.
He rejected claims from Duterte’s camp that the House Committee on Justice is conducting a “fishing expedition,” arguing that such limitations would prevent lawmakers from properly building a case.
“Ang House ay parang prosecutor. Hindi puwedeng umasa lang sa ebidensya ng complainant. Kung ganoon, walang mako-convict,” he stressed.
According to Carpio, the House must be able to gather its own evidence to determine whether probable cause exists. This includes accessing financial records that may reveal inconsistencies with a public official’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).
“Kung hindi tugma, puwedeng ma-forfeit ang sobra,” he explained.
He added that any discrepancies could potentially lead not only to impeachment but also to separate civil or criminal cases.
Carpio clarified that the proceedings are still in the investigation stage under the House and have not yet reached the trial phase, which is handled by the Senate. However, he stressed that the inquiry should not be reduced to a mere formality.
“Kung hindi sila makakapag-subpoena, paano nila malalaman kung may probable cause?” he asked.
He also dismissed allegations of grave abuse of discretion, noting that as long as the House follows its own rules, there is no constitutional violation.
“To stop the proceedings, kailangan may malinaw na constitutional violation. Wala silang maipakita,” he added.
For Carpio, the issue is clear: the House must be allowed to examine financial records, including AMLC data, to determine whether there are sufficient grounds for impeachment. Without this power, he warned, holding public officials accountable would lose its meaning.
Apr 10, 2026
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