Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has cleared the way for the release of confidential tax documents belonging to Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio, giving the Senate impeachment court access to records it had been seeking.
According to a news report, Malacañang confirmed the decision through Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro during a press briefing on July 30. The President’s approval removed the final executive hurdle needed for the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to hand over the files to the Senate, which sits as an impeachment court in the ongoing case against the Vice President.
Palace Frames Decision as Law, Not Politics
Castro stressed that the move followed legal requirements rather than political motives. She said the President would abide by whatever the law and proper procedure demand.
“President Marcos will not stand in the way of uncovering the truth,” she told reporters, adding that the request had come directly from the Senate.
When pressed on whether the decision was politically driven, Castro pushed back. She noted that such accusations often surface whenever the administration enforces the law, but insisted the President remains focused on due process. Whatever criticism comes his way, she said, Marcos will not be shaken from following the rules.
Why Presidential Approval Was Needed
Tax records in the Philippines are not automatically open to the public. Under Section 270 of the National Internal Revenue Code, income tax returns and related documents are treated as confidential. They can only be disclosed under specific conditions allowed by law, one of which requires the President’s go-signal.
That is why the Senate needed Marcos to sign off before the BIR could turn over the records tied to Duterte and Carpio.
A Possible Precedent for Future Cases
The Palace admitted that the approval carries weight beyond the current trial. Officials had earlier voiced concern that granting this kind of authority could create a precedent for future impeachment proceedings, including those that might one day involve a sitting president.
Still, Castro said the present situation left no room to delay. The request had to be acted upon, and the law had to be followed.
For Filipinos overseas closely watching events back home, the development marks a significant step in the impeachment process. The release of these financial documents could shape how the Senate weighs the case against the Vice President in the weeks ahead.