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Senate Impeachment Court Hears Bid For Sara Duterte's Financial Records
PHOTO CREDIT: SENATE PH
The Senate impeachment court on Wednesday heard oral arguments on whether it should compel the release of financial records linked to Vice President Sara Duterte, her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, and businesses allegedly connected to them, as the impeachment trial entered its sixth day.
The proceedings focused on the House prosecution panel's request for subpoenas covering bank documents, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) tax records, and reports from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC). Prosecutors said the records are crucial to presenting their case under Article II of the Articles of Impeachment.
Article II centers on allegations involving Duterte's wealth, Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), and business interests. The prosecution argued that the requested documents would help determine whether the Vice President's declared assets and financial transactions are consistent with her SALN and other financial disclosures. Prosecutors also maintained that the records are necessary to present what they described as the whole picture of the allegations.
The defense opposed the request, arguing that the prosecution failed to establish sufficient legal grounds for issuing subpoenas. Duterte's lawyers also contended that compelling the release of confidential financial records would violate privacy rights and existing bank secrecy laws, while questioning the relevance of the documents to the impeachment case.
Senator-judges heard arguments from both sides and raised questions on the legal basis for granting or denying the subpoena requests. As of Wednesday's proceedings, the impeachment court had yet to rule on whether the subpoenas would be issued.
The court's eventual decision is expected to play a key role as the impeachment trial shifts to Article II, which examines allegations related to Duterte's financial disclosures, alleged unexplained wealth, and business interests.
The oral arguments came after the prosecution concluded its presentation of evidence under Article IV, which focuses on allegations of grave threats and an alleged assassination plot against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then Speaker of the House Martin Romualdez.
Under the impeachment trial rules, the House prosecution has been allotted up to 62 trial days to present its case, while the defense has been given 30 days. A vote of at least 16 senator-judges is required to convict and remove an impeachable official from office.
The proceedings focused on the House prosecution panel's request for subpoenas covering bank documents, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) tax records, and reports from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC). Prosecutors said the records are crucial to presenting their case under Article II of the Articles of Impeachment.
Article II centers on allegations involving Duterte's wealth, Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), and business interests. The prosecution argued that the requested documents would help determine whether the Vice President's declared assets and financial transactions are consistent with her SALN and other financial disclosures. Prosecutors also maintained that the records are necessary to present what they described as the whole picture of the allegations.
The defense opposed the request, arguing that the prosecution failed to establish sufficient legal grounds for issuing subpoenas. Duterte's lawyers also contended that compelling the release of confidential financial records would violate privacy rights and existing bank secrecy laws, while questioning the relevance of the documents to the impeachment case.
Senator-judges heard arguments from both sides and raised questions on the legal basis for granting or denying the subpoena requests. As of Wednesday's proceedings, the impeachment court had yet to rule on whether the subpoenas would be issued.
The court's eventual decision is expected to play a key role as the impeachment trial shifts to Article II, which examines allegations related to Duterte's financial disclosures, alleged unexplained wealth, and business interests.
The oral arguments came after the prosecution concluded its presentation of evidence under Article IV, which focuses on allegations of grave threats and an alleged assassination plot against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then Speaker of the House Martin Romualdez.
Under the impeachment trial rules, the House prosecution has been allotted up to 62 trial days to present its case, while the defense has been given 30 days. A vote of at least 16 senator-judges is required to convict and remove an impeachable official from office.
Jul 15, 2026
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