A coalition of Catholic, Evangelical, and Protestant leaders on Monday urged the Senate impeachment court to authorize the issuance of subpoenas for the bank, tax, and Anti-Money Laundering Council records of Vice President Sara Duterte, saying the documents were crucial to the impeachment proceedings.
The appeal came as the Senate impeachment court was set to rule on the prosecution panel’s request to obtain the records in connection with Article II of the Articles of Impeachment, which alleged unexplained wealth, inaccurate Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, and continued business interests.
In a statement, the group Kingdom Keepers, led by Fr. Robert Reyes and social anthropologist Melba Padilla Maggay, rejected the defense panel’s argument that releasing the records would violate Duterte’s rights to privacy, confidentiality, and due process.
The coalition also dismissed the defense’s claim that the subpoena request amounted to a “fishing expedition,” saying the prosecution had sufficient basis to seek the documents and was not merely searching for evidence after the fact.
It said public officials were accountable to taxpayers and should be prepared to explain their assets and financial transactions. The group argued that Duterte, as an elected official, had the responsibility to demonstrate that her wealth had been lawfully acquired.
Kingdom Keepers further said the Vice President had already been given opportunities to respond to the allegations but had instead focused on questioning the impeachment proceedings and raising procedural objections.
The coalition also questioned the defense’s opposition to including records related to Duterte’s husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, and documents covering her tenure as Davao City vice mayor and mayor. It argued that such records could help determine whether any alleged wealth had been concealed or accumulated before she became Vice President.
The Senate impeachment court is expected to decide whether to grant the prosecution’s request for the subpoenas as the trial continues.
