Five senator-judges—Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Imee Marcos, Loren Legarda, and Camille Villar—have formally voiced their opposition against revealing the tax and bank documents of Vice President Sara Duterte in her ongoing impeachment trial.
Atty. Reginald Tongol, speaking on behalf of the Senate impeachment court, confirmed that the five lawmakers each submitted individual manifestations detailing their objections.
However, Tongol noted that he has not yet reviewed the specific arguments raised in their filings.
”Hindi pa po ako privy dun eh. So, hindi ko pa po nababasa. But, I will try to ask about the contents of those manifestations,” Tongol said.
The objections stem from an earlier order by Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, the trial’s presiding officer, who directed the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to release subpoenas for the Vice President’s financial records.
Tongol explained that any party seeking to dispute the presiding officer’s order must explore alternative legal options, as the Senate’s impeachment trial guidelines do not include provisions for a motion for reconsideration.
In such cases, litigants can turn to the suppletory Rules of Court for legal guidance.
”Walang nakalagay na pwedeng mag-motion for reconsideration at kung hindi po inilalagay ‘yung recourse na ‘yun, then they have to find another recourse in the suppletory Rules of Court regarding the issuance of the subpoena,” Tongol added.