Malacañang on Monday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has yet to receive any request seeking his written authorization to open the so-called “green box” containing the tax records of Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, lawyer Mans Carpio.
Speaking during a Palace press briefing on July 13, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said any such request would be carefully reviewed once it reaches the President’s office.
“So, kapag dumating na po ang kanilang hiling ito po ay aaralin at tingnan po natin kung ano ang magiging aksiyon ng Pangulo patungkol po diyan,” Castro said.
Asked whether President Marcos supports opening the “green box,” Castro declined to directly answer the question but emphasized that all legitimate documents capable of shedding light on the impeachment proceedings are important.
“Siguro sa mata naman ng tao hindi lang sa atin, hindi lang dito ngayon na nasa room ng press briefing alam naman natin kung gaano kahalaga ang mga dokumento na maaaring magpakita ng katotohanan sa mga issues na ito. So, lahat ng dokumento, lahat ng lehitimo na mga dokumento ay masasabi nating importante sa paglalahad ng katotohanan,” she said.
She also maintained that the President would not interfere with the Senate’s handling of the impeachment proceedings, saying it is up to the Senate leadership to determine how the trial should proceed.
Separately, Castro dismissed claims from the Duterte camp that the impeachment complaint against the Vice President had been planned for the past three years, saying no evidence has been presented to support the allegation.
She questioned the timeline of the claim, noting that it would suggest the alleged plan began immediately after Duterte won the vice presidency in 2022.
“Ibig sabihin pagkapanalo pa lang niya ng pagka-bise-presidente, pinaplano na ng Bise Presidenteng tumakbong presidente? Ganoon iyong lumalabas kasi pinagpaplanuhan na siya para hindi siya makatakbo,” Castro said.
Castro added that if the Duterte camp truly believed an impeachment case had been in the works for years, the Vice President should have exercised greater caution in handling her confidential funds.
“Pero kung alam pala nila na tatlong taon na ‘tong pinagpaplanuhan, kung totoo iyong kanyang sinasabi dahil wala tayong nakikitang anumang ebidensiya, kung totoo man ito, ‘di sana mas naging maingat sana ang Bise Presidente sa paggamit ng kanyang confidential funds,” she said.
She further argued that prior knowledge of an alleged impeachment effort should have prompted Duterte to be more attentive to her duties.
“Kung alam na nila ito, hindi ba dapat mas naging mas masipag ang Bise Presidente at hindi puro pangingibang-bansa at sana hindi na rin siya umalis at that time noong mayroong Bagyong Katrina at nanood ng concert ni Taylor Swift ‘di ba?” Castro said.
The Palace spokesperson stressed that the impeachment proceedings are focused on issues of transparency and accountability rather than preventing Duterte from seeking higher office.
“But still, ang pinag-uusapan ngayon dito is it’s about transparency, accountability. May mga issues na dapat sagutin at hindi ito para hindi patakbuhin ang Bise Presidente,” Castro said.
Castro also cast doubt on the Vice President’s claim that she had received death threats, saying it may be difficult for Duterte to substantiate the allegation. She noted that the name “Romanov” was first mentioned publicly by Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte in 2024.
“Kaya makikita natin kung bakit walang ebidensiyang lumalabas sa ngayon ang Bise Presidente patungkol sa grave threats o death threats na kanyang binanggit noong panahon na siya matatawag na nagmura at nagbanta sa Pangulo dahil malamang ay hindi niya rin alam na itatanong sa kanya ito. At doon palang sa kanyang sagot ay wala siyang… man lang binanggit patungkol sa siguradong… or kongkretong ebidensiya tungkol sa death threats,” Castro said.
She concluded by saying that the Vice President could face difficulty proving the alleged threats and cautioned against presenting fabricated evidence.
“So, with that, mahihirapan siyang i-prove ang death threats at huwag lang magri-resort to making up another documents,” Castro added.