The House Committee on Justice has officially received the tax records of Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, Atty. Manases “Mans” Carpio, according to panel chairperson and Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro.
Luistro said the submission of the documents on April 14 has rendered the couple’s legal challenge effectively moot.
Carpio had earlier filed a petition with the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) seeking a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to block the release of the records.
“Well, there is a prayer for temporary restraining order specifically to stop the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) from submitting the required ITR, subject matter of the subpoena duces tecum. But since it has been submitted already during the last hearing, that was April 14, that is the reason why I said the issue of issuance of TRO is already moot and academic,” Luistro said.
While the April 14 hearing centered on the use of confidential funds, Luistro noted that the upcoming session on April 22 will shift focus to allegations of unexplained wealth and non-disclosure in Duterte’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).
“But this time around on Wednesday (April 22), ang focus natin is the allegation of unexplained wealth and non-disclosure in SALN,” Luistro added.
The committee is deliberating whether there is probable cause to elevate the impeachment complaint against the Vice President to the Senate for trial.
Key Presentations Expected on April 22
- Office of the Ombudsman: Presentation of Duterte’s SALNs
- Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC): Report on the couple’s bank transactions
- Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): Audited financial statements and general information sheets of their declared businesses
- Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV: Subpoenaed to testify on non-disclosure allegations, upon motion by Rep. Leila de Lima
The panel previously heard testimony from Ramil Madriaga regarding alleged delivery of confidential funds.
“So kung naaalala nyo yung first hearing natin (nung) April 14, ang naging focus natin is confidential fund as matter of fact that is one of the significant reasons why (Ramil) Madriaga, I believe, was presented as well kasi may allegation siya doon about the delivery of confidential fund,” Luistro explained.