Sara Duterte impeachment trial: Court orders subpoena for VP's financial records

The third week of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte began on Monday, with the Senate impeachment court granting the House prosecution's request to subpoena the financial records of Duterte and her husband, Mans Carpio. Here’s everything that happened on Day 7 of the impeachment trial: Impeachment court Senator-Judge Robin Padilla denied that he snubbed the summons of the Ombudsman in the obstruction of justice case against him. Senator-Judge Erwin Tulfo said the court and the trial were not the venue and time for senators to air their explanations regarding allegations against them. Senator-Judge Vicente Tito Sotto III moved that the matter be referred by the impeachment court to the Senate as a legislative body, but Escudero ruled that the manifestation of Padilla remain on the records. The Senate impeachment court granted the prosecution panel’s motion to issue a subpoena for the bank and Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) records of Duterte and her husband. The impeachment court also granted the motion for a subpoena for relevant tax records related to the Vice President. Escudero confirmed receipt of a manifestation letter from detained Senator Rodante Marcoleta asking that his vote be recognized in the impeachment trial. The Presiding Officer deferred ruling and referred the matter to the Senate for consideration as a legislative body. Prosecution Prosecutor Chel Diokno said the prosecution met the legal requirements for issuing subpoenas to obtain Duterte’s financial and tax records. Diokno said the subpoena only seeks to have the documents produced and that the issue of admissibility will be ruled on later . Diokno stressed the importance of the records in presenting the “whole picture” under the second article of impeachment Diokno also argued that the Supreme Court does not rule out the presentation of evidence of acts that occurred before an individual became an impeachable official. Following the issuance of a subpoena for Duterte's tax records, the prosecution said they see no reason for Marcos to prohibit the BIR from complying with the subpoena. Defense The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte maintained its opposition to the House prosecution panel’s request for the Senate impeachment court to issue a subpoena on the latter’s bank and tax documents in relation to her ongoing impeachment trial. During the oral argument on the prosecutors’ request, defense lawyer Michael Poa reiterated that granting the request would amount to a “fishing expedition,” as the complaints accusing Duterte of amassing unexplained wealth have no attachments supporting the claims. Following the court decision, Poa said their camp respects the decision of the impeachment court and would submit to its ruling. Poa said they anticipated the ruling. However, they have yet to discuss their possible steps and legal remedies, including elevating the case to the Supreme Court. —LDF, GMA News