Manila, Philippines — Picking up from last week’s trial, the Senate Impeachment Court is now set to tackle Article II of the impeachment complaints regarding the alleged unexplained wealth of Vice President Sara Duterte.
On the seventh day of the trial on July 20, the Senate Impeachment Court is set to decide on the House Prosecution Panel’s request to subpoena Duterte’s tax and bank records, including the documents from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).
Included as well are the similar financial records of Duterte’s husband, Atty. Mans Carpio.
The House Prosecution Panel argued that opening Duterte’s financial records will be significant in determining the truth behind the allegations.
They added that requesting access to Duterte’s financial documents is not a violation of the bank secrecy law, as it is not applicable in an impeachment proceeding.
Impeachment watchdog Bantay Impeachment, meanwhile, urged the senator-judges to vote for the opening and publicizing of Duterte’s financial statements.
The group argued that their vote will be the basis of they position regarding the trial: for accountability or to further bury the truth.
They added that opening Duterte’s financial records will explain the alleged P6.7 million bank transaction of Duterte and her spouse, despite it going over her assests as declared in her SALN.
Further, the group believes that without opening Duterte’s tax and bank records, the impeachment will be futile.—Mia Layaguin, Eurotv News