Jamaine Punzalan

Members of the House Committee on Justice voted 38-6 to defer opening the sealed box from the Bureau of Internal Revenue containing the tax records of Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband Manases Carpio, following a clashing of opinions on the legal implications of opening the box and putting its contents under public scrutiny. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Chalssea Kate Echegoyen

ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATED) — The House Committee on Justice on Wednesday voted to leave the opening of the sealed tax records of Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, to the Senate impeachment court, if and when the case proceeds to trial.In a 38-6 vote, with no abstentions, the panel denied a motion to open the sealed box containing the couple’s income tax returns (ITRs), effectively deferring its examination to the Senate.Before the vote, several lawmakers pushed for the immediate opening of the records, arguing that the House, tasked with determining probable cause in impeachment complaints, has the constitutional authority to examine all relevant evidence.ML party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, who made the motion, said the panel’s power to review evidence emanates from the Constitution and should not be curtailed by statutory limits on taxpayer confidentiality under the National Internal Revenue Code.“To allow a provision of the tax code to override the constitutional power of impeachment is to invert the hierarchy of laws,” she said, stressing the panel’s duty to scrutinize the documents before transmitting the case to the Senate.Supporters of the motion also underscored the potential evidentiary value of the records, particularly in relation to allegations cited in the impeachment complaints, including unexplained wealth and material non-disclosure in Duterte’s statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN).But while some members agreed in principle, a majority opted to “proceed with caution,” citing possible legal risks and the sufficiency of existing evidence to determine probable cause.House Deputy Speaker David Suarez warned that opening the records at this stage could trigger legal challenges that might delay proceedings.“Sa Senado na lang po natin buksan itong mahiwagang green box na ito. Tapos doon na lang po magkaalaman. Ang mahalaga para sa ating lahat ay maipagpatuloy po natin ang proseso na malaman natin kung mayroon pong sapat na batayan ang impeachment complaint laban sa Vice Presidente,” Suarez said. Lawmakers also pointed out that the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, would ultimately assess the evidence and rule on its admissibility during trial.During the hearing, some members invoked historical parallels, noting how the opening of key evidence had shaped past political outcomes. “We should let the Filipinos see what&#x27;s inside that box and allow the members of this committee to assess what evidence is inside the box,” said House Senior Deputy Majority Leader Lorenz Defensor. “Kung ito ba ay nakapagpapatatag ng ebidensya laban sa Vice President o makasusuporta sa respondent at sa kanyang posisyon na siya ay walang kasalanan,” Defensor added.<div> </div><div>MANIFESTATION OF SUPPORT</div>Meanwhile, the committee also expressed support for its members named as respondents in a criminal complaint filed by Carpio in connection with the disclosure of an Anti-Money Laundering Council report on bank transactions linked to him and the Vice President.The panel adopted the manifestation of Manila Third District Rep. Joel Chua, affirming support for lawmakers including Gerville Luistro, De Lima, Chel Diokno, and Percival Cendana.“Mayroon po tayong tinatawag na parliamentary immunity sa ating Saligang Batas… Ginagawa lang ng mga kasama natin ang kanilang tungkulin,” Chua said.Chua cited parliamentary immunity, saying lawmakers were merely performing their duties in the course of legislative proceedings.

The House Committee on Justice voted Wednesday to defer opening the sealed tax records of Duterte and her husband.

The House Committee on Justice voted Wednesday to defer opening the sealed tax records of Duterte and her husband.

House panel holds off on opening Sara Duterte tax records

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House panel holds off on opening Sara Duterte tax records

Chalssea Kate Echegoyen,

ABS-CBN News,

Published April 29, 2026 12:24 PM PHT

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Updated April 29, 2026 07:38 PM PHT

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Sara Duterte

tax records

impeachment

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