MindaNews / 20 July 2026 – With some exceptions, the Senate impeachment court on Monday granted the prosecution’s request to subpoena the bank, Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), and tax records of Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio.
The decision came after lengthy arguments by both parties and questioning by Senator-Judges Alan Peter Cayetano and Pia Cayetano. The House prosecution said the records they sought will be presented in connection with Article II of the impeachment complaint alleging unexplained wealth.
Debunking the defense’s argument that the prosecution’s request was a “fishing expedition,” the court said the records are relevant in establishing a factual baseline for determining whether Duterte has earned assets disproportionate to her lawful income. The court also granted the production of Carpio’s bank records, citing Republic Act 6713, which requires spouses to disclose their assets.
“After a careful examination, the Court finds that the requested documents meet the requirements set forth above. They are reasonably described, readily identifiable, prima facie relevant and material to the allegations under Article 2,” presiding officer Senator-Judge Chiz Escudero said.
However, the court clarified that the records may not be used to introduce new impeachable offenses. “Their admissibility and evidentiary use shall remain subject to the Prosecution establishing their connection to the alleged unexplained wealth during the Respondent’s present term in relation to Article II of the Articles of Impeachment,” Escudero added.
The court ruled in favor of the prosecution regarding the bank records held separately by Duterte and her husband Carpio, as well as jointly by them. “The law is clear on the matter. The legal necessity of examining the financial records of Atty. Carpio is firmly cemented by the default property regime of absolute community of property governing his marriage to the Respondent,” Escudero stated.
The court also granted the motion for a subpoena for the bank records of 19 out of 21 corporate entities, citing Duterte’s connection to these entities through their General Information Sheets, Articles of Partnership, and her admitted SALNs from 2022 to 2025. However, it denied requests concerning JTC Group of Companies and Pikimong Pikimong Philippines Corporation, as the Vice President and her husband were not identified as shareholders.
During a House justice committee hearing, AMLC officials testified that P6.77 billion in large and suspicious transactions flowed through the couple’s bank accounts from 2006 to 2025—an amount exceeding Duterte’s declared SALN figures. Defense lawyer Michael Poa argued that bank transactions do not equate to net worth and that subpoenas should be limited to relevant records.
House prosecutor Rep. Chel Diokno countered that examining an official’s entire income is necessary to determine unexplained wealth, noting that SALNs and tax returns alone provide incomplete financial pictures. (H. Marcos C. Mordeno/MindaNews)
