Senate Defers Decision on Sara Duterte's Financial Records Subpoenas

The Senate impeachment trial of Sara Duterte continued on July 15, 2026, with the court deferring a decision until Monday on House prosecution requests to subpoena the bank, tax, and Anti-Money Laundering Council records of the Vice President and her husband, Manases Carpio.

House prosecutor Chel Diokno argued that the court's constitutional mandate overrides bank secrecy laws, presenting data alleging Duterte's financial activity exceeded P700 million in 2009 while she served as mayor of Davao City. Defense counsel Michael Poa rejected the requests as a fishing expedition that violates due process, contending that records predating her vice presidency are irrelevant to the proceedings.

During the trial, Duterte defended herself against allegations of grave threats and inciting sedition, characterizing the claims as manufactured narratives and fiction. While House spokesperson Robert Ace Barbers cited video evidence of threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other officials, Duterte maintained that fabricating evidence undermines public institutions. To expedite the process, the prosecution trimmed its witness list, withdrawing six individuals related to the grave threats charge and two others whose testimonies were deemed corroborative.