Carpio camp eyes refiling Ombudsman complaint over bank record disclosure

The camp of lawyer Manases Carpio, husband of Vice President Sara Duterte, has announced it is considering refiling a complaint with the Ombudsman over the disclosure of their bank records by lawmakers, a complaint that was previously dismissed by the prosecutor's office. The Quezon City Prosecutor's Office dismissed the complaint earlier filed by Carpio, stating that the acts of the respondents were done in relation to their office and "are not inherently immoral." In a statement, Atty. Peter Paul Danao, counsel for Carpio, said the disclosure and handling of confidential and sensitive financial information deserve to be fully examined on the merits by the proper authority. "We acknowledge the September 7, 2026 Resolution of the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office. We are still awaiting and will carefully review the official copy of the Resolution," Danao added. "Once received, our client reserves the right to exhaust all available legal remedies to challenge the Resolution, consistent with his right to seek appropriate relief under the law and existing rules. At the very least, our client retains the option to refile the complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman, which the Resolution itself identifies as the proper forum based on its jurisdictional finding," he said. According to Danao, the complaint was dismissed on technical grounds, not on its merits. "It is important to emphasize that the complaint was recommended for dismissal without prejudice and on the ground of lack of jurisdiction. The Resolution therefore does not constitute a final determination on the merits of the allegations raised in the complaint," he stated. "The finding that the acts complained of were allegedly committed in relation to public office also leaves open the appropriate legal remedy and forum for pursuing the matter," he added. Accumulation of unexplained wealth is one of the impeachable offenses alleged by the prosecution against the Vice President. The prosecution intends to present the bank accounts of the Vice President and Carpio as evidence. Source: GMA News Philippines