Chalssea Kate Echegoyen

The Senate impeachment court opened oral arguments on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, on requests to subpoena the financial records of Vice President Sara Duterte.
On Day 6 of the impeachment trial, the senator-judges heard from prosecution and defense counsels regarding motions to subpoena the Vice President’s bank documents, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) records, and Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) reports.
The documents were requested by the prosecution panel ahead of the court’s discussion of Article II of the Articles of Impeachment, which concerns Duterte’s wealth, Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), and business interests.
Wendell Alinea, Senate Social Media Unit

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VP Sara Impeachment

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178452880532920260715-senat-vp-sara-impeachment-day6-MT16.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="The Senate of the Philippines, sitting as an impeachment court, listens to the oral arguments presented by the House prosecution panel—led by Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno—on the issuance of a subpoena to the Bureau of Internal Revenue to open a box containing the tax records of Vice President Sara Duterte, during the sixth day of the impeachment proceedings on July 15, 2026.   Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Senate of the Philippines, sitting as an impeachment court, listens to the oral arguments presented by the House prosecution panel—led by Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno—on the issuance of a subpoena to the Bureau of Internal Revenue to open a box containing the tax records of Vice President Sara Duterte, during the sixth day of the impeachment proceedings on July 15, 2026. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) — House prosecutor and Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to authorize the release of Vice President Sara Duterte&#x27;s income tax records for her <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/sara-duterte-impeachment-trial">impeachment trial.</a></p><p>In an interview with Headstart, Diokno said on Monday that the prosecution hoped Marcos would give the required consent under the National Internal Revenue Code. </p><p>“We do hope that in the name of transparency and accountability, that the President does provide that agreement or consent,” Diokno said.</p><p>The Senate impeachment court is expected to spend Monday hearing any remaining questions from senator-judges before voting on whether to issue subpoenas for Duterte’s bank records, income tax returns, and records from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC). </p><p>No witnesses are expected to testify during the day’s proceedings, with National Bureau of Investigation Director Jaime Santiago Matibag scheduled to appear on Tuesday.</p><p>Diokno acknowledged that while the Senate could subpoena Duterte’s tax records, the Bureau of Internal Revenue cannot release them without the President&#x27;s approval.</p><p>“I agree with the observations of former Commissioner Kim Henares na iyon ang dapat maging proseso,” he said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/16/bir-needs-marcos-approval-before-release-of-duterte-s-records-ex-tax-chief-1457">BIR needs Marcos approval before release of Duterte&#x27;s records — ex-tax chief </a></div><p>Asked what would happen if the President declined to act on the request, Diokno said granting the necessary consent should not be viewed as interference.</p><p>“Hindi ko nakikita na interference man ’yan kung mag-a-action ang ating Pangulo. Kasama sa tungkulin niya at nasa kamay niya ang desisyon kung siya ay papayag ba o hindi,” he said. </p><p>Prosecutors argue the records are necessary to determine whether Duterte amassed unexplained wealth disproportionate to her lawful income.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/16/bir-needs-marcos-approval-before-release-of-duterte-s-records-ex-tax-chief-1457">BIR needs Marcos approval before release of Duterte&#x27;s records — ex-tax chief</a><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/20/-precedent-is-there-senate-to-vote-on-opening-of-vp-duterte-s-bank-and-tax-records-0801"></a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/20/-precedent-is-there-senate-to-vote-on-opening-of-vp-duterte-s-bank-and-tax-records-0801">&#x27;Precedent is there&#x27;: Senate to vote on opening of VP Duterte’s bank and tax records</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>NOT A FISHING EXPEDITION</strong></div><p>Diokno rejected the defense’s claim that the requests amount to a <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/15/defense-says-subpoena-for-duterte-bank-tax-records-a-weapon-of-fishing-expedition-1531">“fishing expedition,”</a> saying the prosecution’s request is backed by evidence previously submitted by the AMLC before the House Committee on Justice.</p><p>“Ang naging basis, ‘yung lumitaw na ebidensya na sinumite ng Anti-Money Laundering Council… Doon lumalabas nga na bilyong-bilyones ang perang dumadaan sa account ni Vice President Sara at ng kanyang asawa,” he said.</p><p>He said prosecutors intend to compare the transactions reflected in the bank records with Duterte’s declared lawful income through her tax returns.</p><p>“Ang kinukumpara natin… ‘yung mga bank records. On the other hand, ang titingnan din natin ay ‘yung kanyang lawful income,” Diokno said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/15/diokno-duterte-bank-tax-records-impeachment-trial-1516">&#x27;Truth is not confidential&#x27;: Prosecution says VP Sara&#x27;s bank, tax records relevant to impeachment trial </a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>SUBPOENA REQUEST</strong></div><p>Diokno also expressed confidence that the Senate impeachment court would approve the subpoena requests, citing the impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, during which the impeachment court ordered the production of documentary evidence, including financial records.</p><p>The Senate impeachment court last week heard oral arguments on the prosecution’s subpoena requests, with the defense arguing that compelling the release of Duterte’s financial records would violate privacy rights and due process.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/15/defense-counsel-we-are-not-afraid-of-subpoenaed-documents-1754">Defense counsel: We are not afraid of subpoenaed documents </a></div><p>Outside the Senate, members of Akbayan Party staged a protest, urging the senator-judges to allow access to the vice president&#x27;s bank and tax records.</p><p>The group said it is time to open Duterte&#x27;s financial records to determine whether she and her husband have ill-gotten wealth.</p><p>&quot;Sa araw na ito, binabantayan ng buong bansa ang Senado. Sila ay titimbangin at sana ay wag silang magkulang. Malinaw ang panawagan, buksan ang bank records ni VP Sara Duterte. Deserve ng taumbayan na makita ang paglobo ng bank accounts nilang mag-asawa,&quot; said Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña.</p><p>&quot;Malinaw na may paglobo sa kanyang bank account na hindi nagko-correspond doon sa kanyang statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN). Ito &#x27;yong susi para sa paglilitis na nangyayari ngayon.&quot;</p><p>The group said the Senate impeachment court plays a crucial role in ensuring that the truth is made public.</p><p>&quot;Ang klaro sa atin the Senate impeachment court is also on trial. Are they going to side on truth and accountability? O papanig sila na pagtakpan &#x27;yong bank records ni Sara Duterte,&quot; said Akbayan Citizens&#x27; Action Party President Rafaela David.</p><p>&quot;We hope that later today that the Senate will vote in favor of truth and accountability,&quot; she added.</p><p>The impeachment complaint against Duterte accuses her of unexplained wealth, misuse of confidential funds, grave threats and alleged constitutional violations. </p><p>Monday’s vote on the subpoena requests is expected to determine whether prosecutors will gain access to financial records they say are crucial to proving one of the complaint’s key articles of impeachment.</p><div><strong>-- with a report from Jessie Cruzat, ABS-CBN News</strong></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/sara-duterte-impeachment-trial">Impeachment Trial of Sara Duterte </a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/19/cayetanos-take-impeachment-issues-to-facebook-live-0839">Cayetanos take impeachment issues to Facebook Live </a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/16/senators-to-weigh-accountability-vs-privacy-right-in-sara-duterte-bank-records-plea-ex-ibp-chief-1000">Accountability vs privacy at crux of Duterte bank records plea — ex-IBP chief</a></div>

<p>House prosecutor and Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to authorize the release of the vice president’s income tax records.</p>

House prosecutor and Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to authorize the release of the vice president’s income tax records.

Marcos urged to approve release of Duterte tax records; impeachment court set to vote Monday

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Marcos urged to approve release of Duterte tax records; impeachment court set to vote Monday

Chalssea Kate Echegoyen,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 20, 2026 11:36 AM PHT

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Updated July 20, 2026 02:27 PM PHT

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BIR

Sara Duterte

Impeachment

Chel Diokno

Duterte impeachment

Akbayan

Bureau of Internal Revenue

Anti-Money Laundering Council

AMLC

Sara Duterte

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