Philippines impeachment panel subpoenas VP Sara Duterte’s financial records

Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno clarified that the prosecution panel in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is not "fishing for evidence." He said the panel obtained probable cause from Anti‑Money Laundering Council (AMLC) records showing billions of pesos moving through the accounts of the vice president and her spouse, and that the subpoena for bank and tax records was granted by the impeachment court to verify those reports.

Diokno responded to an edited video posted by Sen. Pia Cayetano that suggested prosecutors were taking chances with unsubstantiated claims. He said the clip was spliced and misrepresented his remarks, noting that opening the records before trial would violate due process. The controversy raised concerns about the sub‑judice rule and the right of senator‑judges to speak on the case.