The Senate impeachment court has granted the House prosecution’s motions to subpoena the financial records of Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, Mans Carpio, on the seventh day of the impeachment trial on Monday, July 20, 2026.

In its ruling, the court granted the prosecution panel’s motions to subpoena Duterte and her husband’s peso-denominated bank accounts, Duterte’s tax records from 2007 to 2021, and Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) records.

However, the court denied the prosecution’s requests for the records of some companies for lack of evidence linking them to Duterte and her husband.

The court also rejected the subpoena for foreign-currency deposits, citing their confidentiality under Republic Act 6426.

The court partially granted the subpoenas seeking for the financial records of the Carpio Lawyers subject to the protection of attorney-client privilege, and ordered that disclosures from AMLC be submitted for in camera review to ensure that sensitive investigative methods and confidential information remain protected.

“After a careful examination of the records requested, 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 allegations related to Article II,” Presiding Officer Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero reads part of the resolution.

Before the ruling was read, senator-judges questioned both the prosecution and defense counsels regarding the motions.

PROSECUTION

House Prosecutor Chel Diokno of Akbayan Party-list maintained that the subpoenas for Duterte’s financial and tax records can help prove allegations of unexplained wealth stipulated in Article II of the impeachment complaint.

Diokno said the prosecution intended to secure the documents for now, with admissibility to be determined later.

The prosecution counsel also argued that the Supreme Court does not prohibit the introduction of evidence involving acts committed before a person assumed an impeachable office.

DEFENSE

Duterte’s defense, meanwhile, reiterated its opposition to the prosecution’s request for subpoenas covering her bank and tax records, arguing that the move constitutes what they described as a “fishing expedition” because the impeachment complaints alleging unexplained wealth have no attachments supporting the claims.

But defense lawyer Michael Poa said they respect the impeachment court’s decision and will comply with its ruling.

REACTION

The Vice President’s brother, Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte, said prosecutors should have had a complete case from the start if they were serious about their accusations.

In a statement on Monday, July 20, 2026, the lawmaker said the impeachment is a not a “raffle draw” or a “fishing expedition” where prosecutors simply search for whatever evidence they can find.

“Sa House Prosecution Panel, usa lang ka pangutana—kung kumpleto na diay ang inyong kaso sa dihang giaprubahan sa Kamara, ngano karon pa man mo nangita sa mga papeles nga dapat dugay na ninyong naa?” Rep. Duterte said.

“Basin ang kulang dili ang dokumento... Basin ang kulang mao gyud ang kaso,” he added.

Rep. Duterte also said some of the records requested, including income tax returns, had previously been submitted to the Senate and returned to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), raising questions over why the prosecution was requesting them only now.

“So unsa man gyud? Nawala? Nahikalimtan? O karon pa ninyo na-realize nga kinahanglan diay na? Rep. Duterte said.

The lawmaker argued that the House’s approval of the Articles of Impeachment should have been based on sufficient evidence, and not followed by efforts to gather additional documents after the charges had already been filed.

Rep. Duterte claimed that the move suggested the prosecution is still searching for evidence to support its allegations.

“Kung karon pa mo nangita og ebidensya pinaagi sa subpoena, murag ang proseso ninyo kay step 1: Impeach; step 2: Pangitaa ang ebidensya; step 3: Sana adunay mogawas. Ingon ana na ba diay karon ang constitutional process?” Duterte said further.