Photo credit: Chel Diokno

The move to subpoena SALNs and other financial records is not overreach—it’s part of the job.

That’s how Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno sees it, as the House Committee on Justice continues its review of the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Speaking in a radio interview, Diokno explained that the proceedings are still in the evidence-gathering stage, where the goal is simple: determine if there’s enough basis to move the case forward—not to decide guilt.

“Hindi kami ang maglilitis. Kung aabot sa trial, sa Senado iyon,” he said, emphasizing that the House panel’s role is limited to establishing probable cause.

According to Diokno, the committee is acting within its constitutional mandate, especially after already ruling that the impeachment complaints are sufficient in form and substance. From here, he said, the next step is to closely examine the evidence.

That includes subpoenas for Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth or SALNs, along with other financial documents such as income tax returns from the Bureau of Internal Revenue and corporate filings from the Securities and Exchange Commission.

These records, he said, are crucial in verifying allegations—particularly claims involving unexplained wealth and possible discrepancies in declared assets.

“Ang trabaho namin ay tingnan kung may sapat na ebidensya,” Diokno said, noting that subpoenas are not random but are based on specific claims already raised in the complaints.

For him, this process is no different from a standard preliminary investigation. Just like prosecutors, the committee needs documents and testimonies to test the validity of accusations.

He also stressed that witnesses will be scrutinized in the same way.

“Pag humarap sila, titingnan kung may alam ba talaga sila. This is the time for evaluation,” he explained.

Diokno pushed back against criticism that the committee is conducting a “fishing expedition,” saying everything being done follows the Constitution and House impeachment rules.

“Ganito talaga ang proseso,” he said, comparing it to how prosecutors routinely issue subpoenas when documents are held by other agencies.

In the end, the lawmaker said everything boils down to whether the evidence—documents like SALNs included—meets the threshold of probable cause.

If it does, the case moves to the Senate for trial. If not, it gets dismissed.

“Ganun lang kasimple,” Diokno said.