Impeachment Court Asks More Banks To Submit Records Of Sara Duterte, Husband

More banks have been ordered to present before the Senate impeachment court the financial records of Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband Manases Carpio.

Impeachment court presiding officer Sen. Francis Escudero announced the decision at the tail-end of the trial on Wednesday, Aug. 26, noting that the court is adopting exactly the same parameters and limitations established in its July 20 ruling that originally authorized an examination of the couple’s financial history.

“The chair will simply adopt and apply its ruling last July 20, 2026 concerning the subpoena issued to banking institutions involving the same subject matter, and the same limitations will apply accordingly,” Escudero stated.

The supplemental subpoena covers peso-denominated accounts held by the Duterte couple as well as by 20 corporate entities where they hold interests.

Escudero reiterated that foreign currency deposits remain off-limits under the law.

“It is clear that the subpoena does not include foreign currency. It is limited only to peso-denominated accounts and not of foreign currency deposits, as these are excluded without the written consent of the depositor,” Escudero pointed out.

The Senate clerk of court was directed to immediately issue and serve the subpoenas to the concerned banks and financial institutions.

The institutions, which were not named, were given exactly seven calendar days – until Sept. 2 – to produce the required documents to the court.

The latest directive builds upon the House prosecution’s major legal victory last month when the impeachment court first allowed subpoenas for the couple’s banking, tax and Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) records in connection with unexplained wealth allegations under Article II of the Articles of Impeachment.

In its July 20 ruling, the court rejected the Duterte camp’s claim that the requests amounted to a “fishing expedition.” The impeachment court said the records are “reasonably described, readily identifiable, prima facie relevant and material” to the charges.

At the resumption of the impeachment trial next week, the prosecution team of the House of Representatives is expected to summon defense panel spokesman Michael Poa to the witness stand, as he was an education undersecretary when Duterte was concurrently department chief.

The prosecution has also moved to subpoena Marizza Grande, assistant national statistician of the Philippine Statistics Authority, to stand as witness on Sept. 2.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, Office of the Vice President’s assistant chief of staff Lemuel Ortonio said Duterte and her former security chief Col. Raymund Dante Lachica were the only people who knew how and where her confidential funds were spent.

Escudero pointed out that Ortonio’s testimony was consistent with the one made by OVP chief of staff Zuleika Lopez.

Ortonio said he understood that Duterte, as head of the agency, would know how the activities bankrolled by the confidential funds were implemented.

He also confirmed that Lachica knew how the funds were used because he headed the OVP’s security. “Yes, as head of the security of the OVP,” Ortonio said.

“In your office, only VP Sara, as head of the agency, knows. You, as assistant chief of staff, and the chief of staff have no knowledge. Colonel Lachica also has knowledge,” Escudero said.

Ortonio, however, got a tongue-lashing from Sen. Raffy Tulfo for “playing dumb” while being questioned about the use of confidential funds for the purchase of medicines and medical supplies.

Tulfo argued that Ortonio, as a signatory to the Audit Observation Memorandum (AOM), should have questioned the massive expenses.

Ortonio maintained he had “no personal knowledge” of the transactions and merely trusted Lachica.

“What a waste of education. The schools you attended might be feeling ashamed because you speak like you’re playing dumb,” Tulfo said.

Ortonio immediately pushed back: “Your honor, I take offense at that personal comment. I just did my duty at the time.”

Tulfo responded, reminding the official of his accountability.

House prosecution spokesman Ace Barbers said Ortonio appeared to be speaking from a “template” just like the previous witness Gina Acosta, the Vice President’s former disbursing officer.

“Perhaps they should also have aliases. Maybe they can be called ‘Ka-Limot,’ because they seem to forget everything they did and the people they worked with,” Rep. Paolo Ortega said, referring to Ortonio and Acosta.

Meanwhile, Palace press officer Claire Castro said last Tuesday’s hearings showed evidence that Duterte was aware of the withdrawal and use of confidential funds. – With Mark Ernest Villeza, Alexis Romero