The House prosecution panel has claimed victory over the Senate impeachment court's ruling on late Monday afternoon, July 20 to grant its subpoena request for the bank and tax records of impeachment trial respondent Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio.

“Today’s vote is a victory for truth, transparency, and accountability. The impeachment court has made it clear that the search for truth cannot be frustrated by claims of confidentiality when the Constitution itself demands a full and fair examination of the evidence,” House impeachment adviser Robert Ace Barbers said in a statement just minutes after presiding officer Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero read his ruling on the matter.

According to Barbers, the subpoenaed records will enable the prosecution to examine documentary evidence that may establish whether there is a disparity between the Vice President’s declared income and assets and the financial transactions reflected in banking, Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), and tax records.

“These financial records are indispensable in determining whether the allegations of unexplained wealth are supported by documentary evidence. They will provide the factual basis upon which the impeachment court can objectively assess the charges under article II,” added Barbers, who is also prosecution spokesperson.

“The Filipino people deserve nothing less than the whole truth. This impeachment trial is not about personalities or politics—it is about public accountability. Every peso entrusted by the people must be accounted for, and every public official, regardless of position, must answer for allegations of corruption and unexplained wealth before the Constitution and the Filipino nation,” he further said.

Solon-prosecutor Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon expressed similar elation over the Senate impeachment court's ruling following the continuation of oral arguments on the topic earlier during Monday's hearing.

"Panalo ito ng katotohanan, panalo ito ng pananagutan, panalo ito ng taumbayan," Ridon said.

(This is a victory for truth, a victory for accountability, and a victory of the people),"

Barbers added that Escudero's ruling effectively resolves the legal issues raised by the defense regarding the applicability of the Bank Secrecy Law and other confidentiality statutes in relation to the subpoena requests.

More importantly, it allows the trial to proceed toward the presentation of material financial evidence before the impeachment court.

Escudero said the documents satisfied the relevancy and definiteness requirements for a subpoena duces tecum under Section 3, Rule 21 of the Rules of Court and were material to the allegations under article II of the articles of impeachment.

“After a careful examination of the records requested, the court finds that the requested documents meet the requirements set forth above. They are reasonably described, readily identifiable, prima facie relevant and material to the allegations under article II,” he said.

The senator from Bicol noted that the impeachment court had examined bank records during the trial of former Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice Renato Corona.

“In granting that request, the court cited Section 2 of Republic Act No. 1405, which expressly recognizes cases of impeachment as an exception to the confidentiality of bank deposits and the rights to privacy of depositors,” he said.