Camille Naredo

Vice President Sara Duterte arrives at the Senate on the second day of the impeachment trial on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Date:  July 7, 2026
Location:   Pasay City
Philippines:   Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Vice President Sara Duterte arrives at the Senate on the second day of the impeachment trial on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. Duterte gave a one-sentence statement saying that she would be "bloodied but unbowed" before heading out for a quick meeting with her legal team, who, according to her, advised her not to answer any questions from the press.   Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

VP Sara Impeachment

Chalssea Kate Echegoyen

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/178494466724820260707-senate-impeachment-sara-diuterte-MT3.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Vice President Sara Duterte arrives at the Senate on the second day of the impeachment trial on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Vice President Sara Duterte arrives at the Senate on the second day of the impeachment trial on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA – Defense counsel Atty. Michael Poa maintained that the vice president’s tax records cannot be released to the Senate impeachment court without presidential approval, citing confidentiality provisions under the National Internal Revenue Code.</p><p>Poa said taxpayer information is generally confidential and may only be disclosed under exceptions provided by law.</p><p>&quot;Very strict kasi ‘yung tax code natin. Usually ‘yung pagdi-disclose ng taxpayers information ay ipinagbabawal,” he said.</p><p>Poa said one of those exceptions requires approval from the President upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Finance.</p><p>&quot;Kapag &#x27;yon ay may approval from the President, as recommended by the Secretary of Finance,” he sai.</p><p>The defense had opposed the subpoena for Duterte&#x27;s financial and tax records, arguing that the request was too broad and that the “they are asking for everything.”</p><p>Poa said the defense also questioned the relevance of the documents being sought but would respect the impeachment court&#x27;s ruling while pursuing available legal remedies.</p><p>&quot;Nagkaroon na ng ruling &#x27;yong presiding officer at kailangan nating respetuhin &#x27;yan,” Poa said.</p><p>He said elevating the issue to the Supreme Court remains among the defense&#x27;s legal options, although no decision has been made.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/20/full-text-impeachment-court-s-bir-amlc-subpoenas-for-duterte-financial-records-1854">FULL TEXT: Impeachment court subpoenas BIR, AMLC for Duterte financial records</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/20/impeachment-court-subpoenas-duterte-bank-records-1730">Senate impeachment court grants subpoena for Duterte financial records</a></div><p>&quot;Definitely, part &#x27;yan ng remedies... but sa ngayon, wala pa kaming desisyon kung aakyat kami,” he said.</p><p>Poa also stressed that even if the records are produced before the impeachment court, they would not automatically become evidence.</p><p>&quot;Hindi porket maipakita ‘yung dokumento ay admitted as evidence na &#x27;yan,” he said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/20/-marcos-consent-to-unseal-sara-duterte-s-bir-records-not-an-act-against-her-2029">&#x27;Marcos’ consent to unseal Sara Duterte&#x27;s BIR records not an act against her&#x27;</a></div><div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/21/better-for-impeachment-court-to-issue-subpoena-on-duterte-tax-records-palace-1640">Better for impeachment court to issue subpoena on Duterte tax records—Palace</a></div><div><br/></div><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="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IIXsO7zVoe4?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Defense counsel Atty. Michael Poa maintained that the vice president’s tax records cannot be released to the Senate impeachment court without presidential a</p>

Defense counsel Atty. Michael Poa maintained that the vice president’s tax records cannot be released to the Senate impeachment court without presidential a

Defense insists unsealing VP Duterte's tax records requires presidential approval

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Defense insists unsealing VP Duterte's tax records requires presidential approval

Chalssea Kate Echegoyen,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 25, 2026 10:05 AM PHT

Read More:

BIR

Tax

Sara Duterte

Impeachment Trial

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