Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Vice President Sara Duterte answers questions during a post-event press conference following the 2025 KASARILAYAAN Pride Reception on Wednesday, June 25, at the LausGroup Event Centre in San Fernando, Pampanga. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

VP Sara

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175142914918520250625-kasarilayaan-duterte-MT32.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Vice President Sara Duterte answers questions during a post-event press conference following the 2025 KASARILAYAAN Pride Reception on Wednesday, June 25, at the LausGroup Event Centre in San Fernando, Pampanga. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AurvwgICXno?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>MANILA — The Ombudsman holds the key to access the bank records of Vice President Sara Duterte, who is accused of &quot;<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/5/house-impeaches-vp-sara-duterte-1551">unexplained wealth</a> and failure to disclose assets&quot; by lawmakers who set in motion her impeachment trial, according to a former magistrate.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/27/ombudsman-s-hands-tied-on-graft-raps-house-recommended-vs-vp-duterte-1912">Ombudsman&#x27;s &#x27;hands tied&#x27; on graft raps House recommended vs VP Duterte</a></div><p>Access to the bank accounts of Duterte may take center stage once her impeachment trial formally starts, but former SC justice Antonio Carpio said the prosecution panel will definitely have to hurdle legal and political obstacles. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/25/ai-fakes-duel-over-sara-duterte-impeachment-in-philippines-1301">AI fakes duel over Sara Duterte impeachment in Philippines</a></div><p>&quot;Under the bank secrecy law natin, bank deposits are absolutely confidential pero may mga exceptions, two ang applicable dito: one in case of impeachment, walang qualification; pangalawa, if there is a written consent from the depositor,&quot; Carpio told DZMM.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/04/22/19/sara-duterte-says-no-obligation-to-explain-wealth">Sara Duterte says &#x27;no obligation&#x27; to explain wealth</a></div><p>He believes the prosecution panel will file a motion before the impeachment court to issue a subpoena duces tecum on Duterte&#x27;s bank records, but that move will have to be decided by the presiding officer or the senator-judges.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/30/remulla-to-apply-for-ombudsman-position-1243">Remulla to apply for Ombudsman position</a></div><p>&quot;That will be voted upon by the judges, or the presiding officer/Senate President can decide that on his own or can throw it to the body... So magkakaroon talaga ng voting, majority vote talaga ang kailangan,&quot; Carpio said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>OMBUDSMAN &#x27;AUTHORIZATION&#x27;</strong></div><p>But Carpio said the Ombudsman is another gateway to the bank records of Duterte.</p><p>&quot;Under the SALN law, all public officials submit their SALN annually, merong provision don before you sign, &#x27;I hereby authorize the Ombudsman to verify my assets, liabilities.&#x27; So the Ombudsman has the power to ask the AMLC to send the records of public officials with respect to their bank accounts,&quot; Carpio said.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wOp0FoKZI98?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>&quot;Ganyan ang nangyari kay Chief Justice [Renato] Corona,&quot; he added. </p><p>In 2017, the Office of the Ombudsman <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/09/27/17/ombudsman-investigates-duterte-familys-wealth">initiated an investigation</a> into the bank transactions of President Rodrigo Duterte and his family, which allegedly amount to hundreds of millions of pesos.</p><p>Then Overall Deputy Ombudsman Arthur Carandang said the AMLC provided the bank records, covering transactions from 2006 to 2016, to the Ombudsman in 2016.</p><p>In the interview, Carpio said the SALN form may be considered as Duterte&#x27;s &quot;written consent&quot; to expose her bank accounts, without needing the permission of the banks.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/04/09/19/sara-duterte-on-pcij-report-wealth-built-with-jobs-businesses">Sara Duterte on PCIJ report: Wealth built with jobs, businesses</a></div><p>&quot;It will fall under the exemption of written consent of depositor dahil in every SALN biibigyan mo ng authority ang Ombudsman to verify your SALN,&quot; he said. </p><p>Ombudsman Samuel Martires, appointee of former President Rodrigo Duterte, the VP&#x27;s father, had been criticized for restricting access to government officials&#x27; SALN.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/09/14/21/ombudsman-lost-its-purpose-in-imposing-saln-restraints">Ombudsman &#x27;lost its purpose&#x27; in imposing SALN restrictions: Constitution framer</a></div><p>But Carpio noted that Martires is retiring soon and &quot;there will be a new Ombudsman by the time of the trial.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Wala na yung present Ombudsman, may bago na.&quot;</p><p>Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla had confirmed that he was applying to be the next Ombudsman.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lHMgA5oadOI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Former SC justice Antonio Carpio said the Ombudsman is another gateway to the bank records of Vice President Sara Duterte.</p>

Former SC justice Antonio Carpio said the Ombudsman is another gateway to the bank records of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Ombudsman key to access VP Sara bank records amid impeachment trial: Carpio

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

Ombudsman key to access VP Sara bank records amid impeachment trial: Carpio

Jauhn Etienne Villaruel,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 02, 2025 12:47 PM PHT

|

Updated Aug 05, 2025 04:23 PM PHT

Read More:

Vice President Sara Duterte

VP Sara

politics

AMLC

SALN

impeachment

impeachment trial

Antonio Carpio

Ombudsman

ANC

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.