Impeachment Trial: Vice President Duterte’s Financial Records Subpoenaed

Impeachment Trial: Vice President Duterte’s Financial Records Subpoenaed

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | July 23, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte intensified dramatically on its ninth day, as the Senate impeachment court issued sweeping subpoenas for her financial records, those of her husband Manases Carpio, and associated businesses. This decisive move, targeting six prominent banks, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), signals a critical shift as the proceedings approach a potential verdict.

The subpoenas, directed at Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co., Philippine Savings Bank, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Security Bank Corp., LandBank of the Philippines, and BDO Unibank, underscore a rigorous pursuit of evidence. This development coincides with the conclusion of testimony and evidence presentation for Article IV, which accuses Vice President Duterte of grave threats against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag, the prosecution’s final witness for Article IV, revealed to senator-judges that the investigation into Duterte’s alleged assassin has narrowed to fewer than 20 individuals, indicating significant progress toward identifying those involved. This testimony was central to the nine-day presentation for Article IV, which utilized six of the prosecution’s eleven allotted days for this specific article.

Procedural Clashes and External Controversies Emerge

Beyond the investigative revelations, Day 9 was marked by notable procedural friction. Defense counsel Mark Vinluan and lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro engaged in a heated exchange regarding the nature of the House Committee on Justice proceedings, with Luistro asserting they were merely clarificatory hearings, not a “mini-trial.” Senator-judge Erwin Tulfo publicly voiced his frustration, lamenting that senator-judges “waste time” lecturing lawyers instead of prioritizing the examination of evidence. In an unusual moment, Director Matibag himself interjected with an objection during cross-examination, prompting a reminder from the court that such rulings are reserved for the senator-judges.

Outside the courtroom, the trial continued to generate controversy. The prosecution clarified that identifying the alleged hitman is part of a separate criminal investigation and is not a prerequisite for completing evidence for Article IV within the constitutional case. The House panel stated it would explore all potential legal actions against Duterte post-impeachment, contingent on the NBI’s findings.

A separate controversy unfolded over a July 7 letter from Duterte to Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, requesting the Senate to cover catering costs from the Vice President’s accredited caterer during the trial. Senator Panfilo Lacson confirmed the OVP’s request, while defense spokesman Michael Poa stated that no such arrangement was granted. House Deputy Speaker Janette Garin condemned the request as “improper” and “funny.” Adding to the external pressures, Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. criticized Duterte for undertaking a five-country personal trip during the ongoing trial, deeming it a “betrayal of public trust.”

As the impeachment court delves into Vice President Duterte’s financial records, the trial enters a new, more intensive phase, with the potential for a pre-guilty, biased verdict looming. The day’s events underscore the complex interplay of legal strategy, political tension, and public scrutiny surrounding this high-stakes proceeding.

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