President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. authorizes the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to submit Vice President Sara Duterte’s tax records to the Senate impeachment court, and the Palace says the action is lawful and not politically motivated. Palace spokesperson Claire Castro states the President’s approval follows the process required by law. The BIR says its representatives secured Marcos’ authorization and then submitted the tax records to the Office of the Clerk of Court before the 9 a.m. deadline set by the impeachment court.
A prosecution panel member, Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, says the President’s authorization does not amount to support or a “blessing” for the impeachment case. He characterizes the step as ministerial, arguing the authorization is part of accountability and the pursuit of legal processes that would apply to other impeachable officials.
The documents reportedly include Duterte’s tax records, as well as records related to her husband, Mans Carpio, and other businesses allegedly connected to the couple. Separately, Carpio questions whether Marcos’ order releasing their income tax records properly considers constitutional and statutory rules governing taxpayer information, while stating they will comply with lawful processes.
