Senate impeachment court formally receives Sara Duterte bank, tax records

The Senate impeachment court on Thursday formally received the financial and tax records of Vice President Sara Duterte, and her husband, Manases “Mans” Carpio in relation to her ongoing impeachment trial.

Senate Secretary and Clerk of Court Renato Bantug Jr. said six banks have already complied to the subpoena issued to Duterte’s financial and tax documents. These are BDO Unibank, Inc., Philippine Savings Bank, Metrobank, Security Bank Corporation, LandBank and BPI.

Other banking institutions asked for a ten-day extension.

“At 9 a.m. this morning, we started to receive the subpoenaed documents. First to submit was the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). At 9:30 a.m. thereabouts, it was Metrobank. And then after Metro Bank, I think it was PS Bank…then Security Bank, BPI…and BDO,” Bantug told reporters.

“I would not name the banks but some banks asked for additional time to produce the other subpoenaed documents,” he said.

On Thursday afternoon, the Senate impeachment court said as of 4:00 p.m. it also received the documentary evidence from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

“I will inform the Senate President, I will inform the Presiding Officer as to the next steps. Today, what we essentially did, due to the volume of documents and the number of agencies and bank institutions that were covered by the subpoena…I would say that for today, it was just a mechanical act of receiving all those documents,” said Bantug.

He said the court has yet to release copies of the documents to the prosecution and defense, he said. The documentary evidence are also yet to be pre-marked for the impeachment trial, he added.

“The Impeachment Court commends the prompt cooperation of these institutions. The receipt of these documents marks a critical procedural milestone, ensuring that the trial proceeds anchored on verified documentary evidence,” Senate impeachment court spokesperson Reginald Tongol said.

“The Senate Impeachment Court maintains the highest level of physical and procedural security over these records. Access Is strictly controlled, and the chain of custody is heavily documented. The Clerk of Court will release the documents to the parties only after the meticulous inventory process is complete, and in the case of the AMLC, after the Presiding Officer completes his ‘in camera’ review. The Impeachment Court will not rush the chain of custody. Security and accuracy take precedence over speed,” he added.

Earlier in the day, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) personnel delivered Duterte’s tax documents enclosed in a red box at the Senate building in Pasay City, the Clerk of Court added.

Last week, the court started issuing subpoenas for Duterte’s tax and bank records in relation to the impeachment trial. Among those issued with subpoenas were the BIR, the Anti-Money Laundering Council, and several banks.

They were given until July 30, 2026 to comply. —RF, GMA News