The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte said Friday it is not seeking to suppress any documents in her impeachment trial, but is emphasizing legal safeguards on confidentiality and relevance as debates continue over the possible release of tax records.
Speaking on DZRH’s Dos Por Dos, defense spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa said it is expected that the impeachment court would look at precedents, including the impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, where certain tax records were disclosed with presidential approval.
“Natural lang naman na tingnan yung records pagdating sa mga nangyari sa Corona trial,” Poa said, noting that approval from the president is recognized under the tax code as an exception allowing disclosure of otherwise confidential taxpayer information.
However, Poa said subsequent Supreme Court rulings and legal developments after the Corona trial must also be considered.
He stressed that even with presidential authorization, the defense maintains that any disclosure must meet standards of relevance.
“Hindi pa rin nawawala ang requirement na dapat relevant po at matutukoy natin kung ano ba talaga sa tax records ang dapat natin makuha,” he said, referring to the need to establish how such records would support the prosecution’s allegations.
The issue follows remarks from impeachment court spokesperson Atty. Reggie Tunggol that the Corona trial could serve as a guide in resolving similar matters, including access to financial documents.
Poa said it remains possible for the impeachment court to issue its own orders regardless of any hypothetical presidential directive to open records held by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
“Everything is possible kasi ang impeachment court siya naman po talaga ang may karapatan magbigay ng mga orders tungkol diyan,” he said.
He also added that debates may center on the confidentiality of tax records under the National Internal Revenue Code, particularly provisions restricting disclosure except in specific cases.
Pressed on whether the disputed records could contain incriminating information, Poa declined to comment, citing rules that prohibit discussing the merits of the case outside formal proceedings.
“We're not here to suppress anything. Hindi naman kami natatakot sa mga dokumento kung ano man yan,” he said. “Kami po ay confident sa aming defense at sa aming theory of the case.”
Poa added that the defense’s position is also aimed at setting legal boundaries for future impeachment proceedings, not just the current case.
“Hindi lang po ito para sa respondent ngayon… para rin po ito sa lahat ng impeachable officers,” he said, emphasizing the need to uphold financial privacy rights and due process under existing laws.
He reiterated the defense team’s confidence in Duterte’s innocence, saying the allegations against her lack basis but would ultimately have to be tested during the trial.
“Without a doubt, without batting an eyelashes, talagang kami ay may buong kumpyansa at naniniwala na wala pong basehan ang mga alegasyon.”
