Sara Duterte camp ready for impeachment trial; cites legal process for bank, tax records

The defense team of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte is ready to confront allegations against her in impeachment proceedings, as the Senate impeachment court has begun issuing subpoenas for her bank and tax records. Atty. Michael Poa, one of Duterte’s legal counsel, maintained that the defense is not afraid of the documents but wishes to adhere to the rule of law. "We are very ready to defend her. Our point in opposing the issuance of a subpoena was that we strongly felt that there were laws prohibiting it, and that’s why we said that while we’re searching for the truth, it must be done within the limits of the Constitution, the law, and the rules," Poa told Unang Balita. Poa said they had anticipated the possibility that the Senate impeachment court might rule in favor of the prosecution’s request to issue a subpoena against Duterte’s financial and tax records. He also stated that they are now prepared to show that the "allegations of unexplained wealth have no basis." The court has started issuing subpoenas for Duterte's documents as trial proceedings are paused for President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) and related activities. Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Alfred Corpus said that the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Anti-Money Laundering Council, and several banks have already been issued subpoenas, with a deadline of July 30 to comply. Duterte is facing impeachment charges over allegations of culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, bribery, and other high crimes. In May, she was impeached by the House of Representatives for the second time. On May 18, the Senate convened as an impeachment court, and on June 1, Duterte's camp filed its answer to the Articles of Impeachment, asking the court to junk the case against her. –Sundy Locus/NB, GMA News