The Senate impeachment court grants a request to subpoena the Vice President’s bank and tax records

Senator-judge Francis Escudero, who presided over the impeachment court, ruled that the bank and tax records are relevant and material to the case.

Senate President Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian and Senator-judge presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero during the impeachment proceedings on Monday, July 20. Wendell D. Alinea / Senate Social Media Unit

Manuel Mogato | July 20, 2026

MANILA — The Senate impeachment court granted a request of the prosecution panel to subpoena Vice President Sara Duterte’s bank and tax records as a baseline to determine if she amassed unexplained wealth during the two decades she was in public office.

Senator-judge Francis Escudero, who presided over the impeachment court, ruled that the bank and tax records are relevant and material to the case. He also ordered the Anti-Money Laundering Council to submit its records on July 30.

“This is a victory for truth,” Congressman Manuel Diokno said, celebrating the court’s decision to allow the bank and tax records. Diokno personally argued to grant the request, defending the position from a barrage of questions from the vice president’s allies in the Senate.

Senator Allan Peter Cayetano, his sibling Pia, and four other senators disagreed with the ruling. A dozen other senators did not manifest opposition, implying they agreed with Escudero.

Escudero said the prosecution panel’s request is not considered a “fishing expedition”, throwing out the defense panel’s arguments. He also cited a precedent in which an earlier impeachment court subpoenaed the financial records of the former Supreme Court chief justice.

Escudero sided with the prosecution panel’s position that the documents would help determine whether Duterte’s assets and financial transactions during the covered period were disproportionate to her lawful income. (Also read: “I delivered cash for the Vice President”)

The subpoena covers the financial records from 2007 to 2021, which prosecutors sought to support allegations of unexplained wealth under Article II of the impeachment complaint.

Two companies, for which the prosecution failed to support allegations that they were owned and controlled by the Vice President and her husband, were not subpoenaed.