On July 20, 2026, the Senate impeachment court approved a subpoena for the bank and tax records of Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio. This ruling aligns with allegations of unexplained wealth against the Vice President.
Key Details of the Court's Ruling
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.
Chiz Escudero, Senator-Judge
The court's decision followed extensive debates where defense arguments claiming the prosecution's request was a "fishing expedition" were dismissed. Senator-Judge Chiz Escudero emphasized the importance of the records in establishing whether the assets of the Vice President align with her declared income.
The ruling also involved a clear connection to Republic Act 6713, which mandates spouses to disclose their assets. The court reaffirmed that any funds in Carpio's accounts are presumed community property, thus relevant to the impeachment case.
During a prior hearing, AMLC officials reported that approximately P6.77 billion in suspicious transactions passed through the couple's accounts from 2006 to 2025, a figure raising alarms compared to their reported assets in Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs).
Defense counsel Michael Poa contended that merely having bank transactions does not equate to wealth, arguing for the necessity of establishing relevance before records can be admitted as evidence.
This ruling is significant in the context of Philippine political history, where corruption allegations have often led to serious political consequences. The case against Duterte serves as a reminder of the ongoing scrutiny faced by public officials regarding transparency and accountability.