The House prosecution panel has urged the Senate impeachment court to subpoena the bank, tax and anti-money laundering records of Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio, arguing that the documents are necessary to determine the full extent of the impeachment allegations.
During oral arguments, House prosecutor and Akbayan Party-list Rep. Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno said senator-judges must have access to all relevant evidence before deciding whether Duterte remains fit to hold office.
“Kaya naman po, ang hiling namin sa Korte, gamitin ang inyong natatanging kapangyarihan at karapatan na busisiin ang bank records, tax records at AMLC reports kaugnay ni VP Sara at ng kanyang asawa,” Diokno said.
“Sa ganitong paraan, Your Honors, madedesisyunan ninyo ang kaso base sa buong katotohanan. The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth para sa interes at kapakanan ng sambayanang Pilipino,” he added.
The prosecution is seeking records from banks, the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Anti-Money Laundering Council in connection with the second article of impeachment.
That charge accuses Duterte of accumulating unexplained wealth disproportionate to her lawful income, failing to disclose assets in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, and engaging in business while serving as Vice President.
Diokno argued that the Constitution gives the Senate impeachment court broad and exclusive authority to determine whether an impeachable official should remain in office.
“Because this power comes directly from the Constitution, no one, no person, no law, no administrative rule can limit or supersede it,” he said.
“I repeat, nothing and no one can handcuff this Court’s power to try and decide this impeachment case.”
He rejected the defense’s objections, saying the Bank Secrecy Law expressly allows disclosure in impeachment proceedings and the Data Privacy Act permits the release of information through a duly issued subpoena.
“With all due respect, that argument is not only legally flawed, it is an affront to the authority of this Honorable Court,” Diokno said.
He also disputed the defense’s claim that Duterte’s financial records from before she became Vice President were irrelevant.
Diokno cited an AMLC report indicating that Duterte’s financial activity exceeded ₱3 billion from 2007 to 2013, when she served as Davao City vice mayor and mayor.
The prosecution said Duterte’s declared net worth during the same period ranged from about ₱8.3 million in 2007 to ₱57.3 million in 2013, figures it said should be examined alongside the AMLC findings.
“The Vice President’s financial activity as Vice Mayor and Mayor of Davao City relates directly to the main fact in issue in this case, her fitness or unfitness to serve as Vice President,” Diokno said.
He also invoked the impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, during which the Senate subpoenaed and examined bank records, including deposits made before Corona assumed the post of chief justice.
Diokno further cited Supreme Court rulings recognizing Congress’ authority to determine what constitutes an impeachable offense.
“No one can dictate to this Court how to exercise the exclusive power to decide what constitutes an impeachable offense,” he said.
In closing, Diokno invoked the constitutional principle that public office is a public trust and urged the Senate to obtain all relevant financial records before ruling on the case.