Sara Duterte's tax records need Marcos approval for BIR release
The Philippine Senate impeachment court has granted subpoenas for the tax and bank records of Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband. However, the Bureau of Internal Revenue requires presidential authorization to release these documents, citing legal protections for taxpayer information.
Why it matters
This highlights the complex legal and political intersection between the impeachment process and the executive branch's control over sensitive government records.
MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Internal Revenue cannot immediately turn over the tax records of Vice President Sara Duterte, her husband and associated corporate entities to the Senate impeachment court.
The release of the records must first meet legal requirements for disclosure, including possible authorization from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Senate impeachment court spokesperson Reginald Tongol explained this Monday, July 20, after the court granted subpoenas directed at the BIR, the Anti-Money Laundering Council and several banking institutions.
"I think that will be unfair to characterize the president's giving permission to the BIR commissioner for the disclosure to be seen as an act against the vice president," Tongol said.
"It is actually an act of respect to a coequal branch of government," he added.
Tongol said the BIR commissioner may seek presidential permission after the impeachment court officially acted on the subpoena request.
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