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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Dadalhin sa SC?': Kapunan confident prosecution will get its way with VP Duterte bank, tax records

'Dadalhin sa SC?': Kapunan confident prosecution will get its way with VP Duterte bank, tax records

Published Jul 18, 2026 10:57 am

At A Glance

  • Lawyer Lorna Kapunan says the prosecution is confident the Supreme Court would uphold its request to subpoena Vice President Sara Duterte's bank and tax records if challenged.
  • The Senate impeachment court, led by Senator Francis Escudero, is set to decide on July 20 whether to grant the prosecution's request for Duterte's financial documents, which are considered crucial to proving allegations of unexplained wealth.
  • The defense argued the request is a "fishing expedition" violating confidentiality and due process, while the prosecution maintained impeachment trials fall under exceptions to secrecy laws and allow the defense to contest evidence.
Prosecutor Lorna Kapunan (Senate PRIB)
Prosecutor Lorna Kapunan (Senate PRIB)


Lawyer Lorna Kapunan expressed confidence that the Supreme Court (SC) would rule in favor of the House prosecution team should the question of opening Vice President Sara Duterte's bank and tax records in impeachment court reach the high tribunal.
“We cannot predict how the [SC] decides.But on the part of the prosecution and the state, the prosecutors representing the Republic, the state, we’re very confident,” Kapunan said in a recent press conference.
"We’re very confident that we are on the right side of history,” added the private prosecutor and seasoned litigator.
The prosecution and defense teams in Duterte's Senate impeachment trial took part in oral arguments last Wednesday, July 15. The topic was whether or not the prosecution’s request to subpoena the bank and tax records, as well as the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) reports of Duterte and her husband were to be granted by the court.
These documents are said to be crucial in proving allegations of unexplained wealth against the respondent, Duterte.
The Senate impeachment court under presiding officer Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero will decide on the matter on Monday, July 20.
The Duterte camp could potentially challenge the decision before the SC.
The defense argued before the Senate impeachment court that the prosecution’s request amounted to a “fishing expedition". It said the financial and tax records were not attached to the verified impeachment complaints and that compelling their disclosure would violate Duterte’s rights to confidentiality and due process.
The House prosecution has argued that an impeachment trial falls within recognized exceptions to bank secrecy and tax confidentiality laws.
It also maintains that the production of the records would not violate due process because the defense would have the opportunity to examine and challenge the evidence before the Senate impeachment court.
At any rate, Kapunan said the defense was free to challenge the issue before the SC.
“Everybody has a right to question, you know. It is a part of due process. They can, of course, question,” she said.

Related Tags

Lorna Kapunan Supreme Court Unexplained wealth Impeachment Sara Duterte
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