Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Representative Leila de Lima commended her fellow House prosecutor, Akbayan Party-list Representative Chel Diokno, following a critical win in the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte.
De Lima was highlighting the Senate impeachment court’s decision on Monday, July 20, which approved the prosecution panel’s petitions to subpoena Duterte’s tax filings, bank records, and Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) documents.
The ruling—which includes financial disclosures linked to her husband, attorney Manases Carpio, and their commercial ventures—remains subject to specific conditions.
”Saludo po tayo kay Rep. Chel Diokno sa mahusay at malinaw na pagpapaliwanag sa paninindigan ng House prosecution na hindi dapat hadlangan ang paglalabas ng napakahalagang ebidensya ukol sa totoong yaman ni VP Sara,” she said.
Diokno, a freshman representative recognized for his calm and measured approach, took the lead in delivering the oral arguments that successfully convinced the court to issue the financial subpoenas.
The prosecution team has consistently argued that these bank and tax papers are pivotal to proving allegations of unexplained wealth, a core claim in one of the four impeachment articles leveled against Duterte.
Deliberations over the request started during the July 15 session and carried over into Monday, concluding with the court ruling in favor of the prosecution’s petitions.
”Malaking tagumpay ito para sa katotohanan. Tagumpay ito ng taumbayan na karapatang makita at masuri rin ang mga ebidensya sa prosesong ito ng pananagutan. Nanaig po dito ang hangarin nating maisiwalat ang buong katotohanan, hindi ang confidentiality,” noted De Lima, Diokno’s “classmate” in the 20th Congress.
The former justice secretary praised the impeachment body for demonstrating judicial independence and upholding its constitutional duty, pushing past objections that statutory rules barred the disclosure of the requested files.
According to De Lima, the court’s stance made it clear that pursuing accountability against high-ranking leaders cannot be brushed aside as an improper search for proof.
”Patunay din po ang desisyon na ito ng impeachment court: Hindi maituturing na fishing expedition ang paghahanap ng hustisya para sa sambayanan at ng pananagutan sa mga opisyal ng gobyerno, gaano man kataas ang katungkulan,” she added, referring to the main argument of the Vice President’s defense team.
Highlighting the historic weight of the ruling, De Lima stressed its long-term impact on the country’s legal landscape.
De Lima further emphasized the broader significance of the court’s decision, saying, “This is a watershed moment in this impeachment case and a landmark decision by the impeachment court that future generations can benefit from and be proud of.”
She concluded by hinting that more critical developments are expected as the trial continues to unfold.
She also hinted at further developments in the trial, stating: “Abangan po natin ang susunod pang mga araw ng paglilitis. Tuloy na tuloy ang proseso ng katotohanan at pananagutan.”