President Marcos has authorized the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to submit the tax records of Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases "Mans" Carpio, to the Senate impeachment court, removing the last executive authorization needed for the disclosure of the documents sought in the Vice President's impeachment trial.

"Yes," Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said when asked in a press briefing on Thursday, July 30, whether Marcos had approved the BIR's release of the tax records of Duterte Carpio to the impeachment court.

Castro said the President's decision was guided by the law and existing procedures rather than political considerations.

"Kung ano ang sinasabi ng batas, kung ano ang proseso, susunod po ang Pangulo (Whatever the law says, whatever the process requires, the President will follow)," she said.

"Kung yan ang sinasabi po at kinakailangan na magbigay siya ng kanyang approval… at ito naman ay para sa katotohanan, hindi niya po ipagkakait ang katotohanan sa ating mga kababayan (So if that is what the law requires and his approval is necessary… and this is for the sake of the truth, he will not withhold the truth from our fellow Filipinos)," she added.

Asked about the Palace's previous concern that granting such authority could set a precedent for future impeachment proceedings involving a president, Castro acknowledged that it could but said the current request must still be acted upon.

"Yes, it can be. But hinihingi po ito ngayon ng pagkakataon (Yes, it can be. But this is what the present situation requires),” she said.

“Hindi po magiging hadlang si Pangulong Marcos Jr. sa paglabas ng katotohanan (President Marcos will not stand in the way of uncovering the truth)," she added, noting that the request came from the Senate.

The Palace Press Officer also brushed aside claims that the decision would again be portrayed as politically motivated, saying such accusations are common whenever the administration implements the law.

"Kahit ano pa ang sabihin ng iba, basta ang alam ng Pangulo siya ay tumutupad sa proseso, siya ay tumutupad sa batas (Whatever others may say, the President knows he is following the process and the law),” Castro said.

“Kahit siya pa ay paringgan o bigyan ng negatibong impresyon, hindi matitinag ang Pangulo. Basta siya ay sa batas at sa proseso (Even if he is criticized or portrayed negatively, he will not be shaken. He will remain guided by the law and due process)," she added.

The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, earlier sought access to the tax records of Duterte and Carpio as part of the ongoing impeachment proceedings against the Vice President. 

Under Section 270 of the National Internal Revenue Code, income tax returns and related records are generally confidential but may be disclosed in specific instances authorized by law, including upon the President's approval.

Malacañang had previously expressed reservations about requiring presidential approval to release confidential tax records, warning that such authority could set a precedent in future impeachment proceedings involving a sitting president.

The Palace, however, said the administration would ultimately comply with whatever the law and the impeachment process require.