THE Senate impeachment court granted on Monday the House prosecution panel’s request to subpoena the bank and Anti‑Money Laundering Council records of Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio.
In a separate resolution, the court also approved the issuance of a subpoena covering the vice president’s relevant tax documents, granting the prosecution access to key financial records as the proceedings enter their evidence phase.
Presiding Officer Senator‑Judge Francis “Chiz” Escudero announced the ruling during the seventh day of the impeachment trial. “After a careful examination of the request, 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,” Escudero stated.
In justifying the issuance of the subpoenas, Escudero cited the precedent set during the impeachment of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, noting that financial and bank records have long been considered valid and necessary evidence in such proceedings. The ruling reinforces the court’s commitment to allowing both sides to obtain all relevant information needed to substantiate or refute the charges against the vice president.
The development marks a significant procedural step, enabling the prosecution to gather critical financial documents that could shed light on the allegations raised in the impeachment complaint. The Senate has yet to announce the exact schedule for the production of the records, but the issuance of the subpoenas paves the way for the presentation of evidence regarding the Vice President’s assets and financial transactions.
metrosundaily
