Marcos should allow the release of the VP’s tax records if the Senate asks, analysts said

By Erika Mae P. Sinaking, A reporter

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. should approve the release of Vice-President (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio’s tax records sealed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) if the Senate impeachment court formally requests them, political analysts said, saying that doing so would strengthen the administration’s commitment to transparency.

“President Marcos should approve the opening of the BIR documents, as long as there is a legal basis and the request is intended to support the ongoing impeachment process,” said Arjan P. Aguirre, assistant professor of political science at Ateneo de Manila University, told. BusinessWorld via Facebook Messenger over the weekend.

“Approving the exemption will strengthen the administration’s commitment to transparency and good governance. On the other hand, prolonged uncertainty may create a public perception that political considerations override institutional accountability,” he added.

Malacañang earlier said Mr. Marcos has yet to receive a formal request from the Senate court to authorize the opening of the BIR’s sealed box and that any request that reaches his office will be carefully considered before a decision is made.

The Senate impeachment court returned the unopened box to the BIR after ruling that it did not legally preserve the documents. It also postponed the decision on the request of the prosecution team of the House of Representatives to call the records of Ms. Duterte on tax, banking and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

Anthony Lawrence A. Borja, professor of political science at De La Salle University, said the President should grant the request if it comes from the Senate.

“If we consider that the Senate has been requested, then President Marcos must approve such action not only to comply with the request of the legislative branch but also to allow evidence to flow freely in impeachment proceedings,” said Mr. BusinessWorld via Facebook Messenger.

He said the release of the tax records will not speed up the trial because the lawyers of the suspects and their accomplices can still challenge the evidence and seek to prolong the trial.

“I don’t think it will speed up the trial as the strategy of the defense team and the senators involved is to delay it in every way, from vague statements to attempts to discredit evidence and witnesses,” said Mr. Borja.

“Those tax records will be subject to extensive scrutiny by the joint senates and defense team and may contribute to incriminating itself,” he added.

The House prosecutor argued that the Senate impeachment court has the constitutional authority to compel the production of Ms. Duterte’s financial records, saying access to her tax, banking and anti-money laundering records is necessary to examine allegations under Article II of the impeachment complaint involving undisclosed wealth.

The prosecutor also said he would first pursue other legal remedies before asking Mr. Marcos to authorize the release of the tax records if presidential approval is ultimately required.

Lawyers opposed the request, arguing with the Senate court that the subpoenas violated due process and amounted to a prohibited “fishing trip.”

Defense attorney Michael T. Poa also said the request includes records dating back to 2007, when Ms. He also emphasized that laws protecting financial records prohibit disclosures sought by prosecutors.

Mr. Aguirre said the release of the documents will help resolve the main issue in the trial.

“Apart from speeding up the trial, the release of the documents will help in solving the important issue,” he said. “It will allow the prosecution – and the public – to decide whether the alleged contravention is supported by the evidence or cannot be adequately explained.”

‘ON THE SIDE OF HISTORY’
Meanwhile, the August Twenty-One Movement (ATOM) urged the senators-judges to approve the petition for the prosecution of Ms. Duterte’s financial records, warning of a repeat of the Senate in the administration of former President Joseph Marcelo “Erap” E. Estrada in 2001.

In a statement, the group said government officials should be willing to submit their financial records to be audited for accountability.

“We urge the judges of the parliament to stand up for what is right, true, and fair, and vote to call the bank accounts,” said ATOM.

“If history will judge that the Vice President is innocent, that will absolve him of these allegations. This decision will help to end all allegations,” he added.

The Senate Court is expected to issue a decision on Monday regarding the request of the prosecutors to subpoena the bank records of Ms.

The requested records relate to Article II of the impeachment complaint, including allegations of undisclosed wealth.

ATOM said the Senate should remember the events of January 2001, when the judges of parliament met with Mr. The decision sparked massive protests that resulted in Mr. Estrada’s removal from office and was followed by the defeat of several senators who opposed the opening of the envelope in the 2001 elections.

“For the judges of parliament who want to be re-elected in 2028, may this be a reminder that we are on the right side of history this time,” the group said. “We hope that the lessons of history will be in your minds and hearts when you make that critical decision.”