𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗬

The House justice committee is moving the impeachment spotlight to money documents next: Vice President Sara Duterte’s and husband Manases Carpio’s income tax returns and related filings are expected to be discussed when hearings resume on April 22, according to committee chair Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro. The focus, she said, is still the claims of unexplained wealth and alleged issues tied to the VP’s SALN, but the hearing will bring in the tax side of the story.

Luistro said the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) will present the couple’s ITRs, while the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is set to present general information sheets and audited financial statements tied to the spouses’ declared business interests. She also confirmed the committee already received documents covered by its subpoenas—including the couple’s tax records—which she argued weakens the practical effect of a court petition seeking to block submission.

That petition was filed by Carpio before a Quezon City RTC, asking for a TRO against the committee subpoena—arguing that tax returns are confidential, protected by law, and that releasing them without proper safeguards could violate rights and privacy protections. But Luistro said the specific issue of stopping submission is effectively “moot” if the records were already turned over (she cited April 14 as the date of submission).

Meanwhile, committee member Rep. Terry Ridon has been pushing the line that tax records are crucial for checking whether the VP’s declared income matches declared assets, especially amid claims of a steep rise in Duterte’s net worth across the years. After April 22, the House panel still has one more scheduled hearing on April 29, expected to tackle the allegation involving Duterte’s threat remarks against the President, First Lady, and a former House Speaker.