Malacañang on Tuesday said the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, has the authority to issue subpoenas for Vice President Sara Duterte’s tax and bank records, should these be deemed necessary in the impeachment proceedings.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said matters involving tax records and possible unexplained wealth are generally subject to court orders.
“Sa ating pagkakaalam, ang anumang kaso na may patungkol sa mga buwis at patungkol sa mga unexplained wealth na maaaring makita o ma-substantiate ng mga record na ito. Ito ay maaaring ipatawag (To our understanding, any case involving taxes or possible unexplained wealth that may be established or substantiated through these records may require their production) through a court order,” she said.
“Sa ngayon ang Senado ay kumakatawan at pumapapel bilang impeachment court at sila ang mayroong karapatan at mandato kung paano nilang ipatutupad ang kanilang proseso (At present, the Senate is serving as the impeachment court, and it has the authority and mandate to determine how it will implement its procedures).”
Castro said no request has been submitted to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. seeking authorization for the release of Duterte’s tax or bank records.
She said it would be more appropriate for the impeachment court itself to issue the necessary subpoenas or orders.
She added presidential approval could raise questions in future cases, noting that the President is also an impeachable official under the Constitution.
Castro said that if, in the coming years or under a future administration, a sitting president were to face impeachment, the impeachment court could order the release of records from agencies like the Bureau of Internal Revenue, if deemed necessary.
She said it would be unlikely for an elected official facing impeachment proceedings to “voluntarily agree” to disclose such documents.
The Senate impeachment court granted Monday the request of the prosecution team of the House of Representatives to subpoena the bank and tax records of Duterte and her husband Manases Carpio.
The court’s decision was based on the relevance and definiteness of the documents, which are intended to prove Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth.
The subpoenas cover at least 19 companies and one partnership, but not all financial records were granted. (PNA)