‘Release of tax records not proof of guilt’

MANILA, Philippines — The submission of tax records is merely a procedural step ordered by the Senate impeachment court and not an evidence of guilt, according to Vice President Sara Duterte’s husband Manases Carpio.

“Like any documentary evidence presented before a judicial or quasi-judicial body, these records must first be examined, tested and evaluated in accordance with the Constitution and the Rules of the Impeachment Court. Our Constitution demands that every allegation be established through competent, credible and admissible evidence,” Carpio said in a statement.

President Marcos has given the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) the go-ahead to submit and unseal the tax records of Duterte and Carpio, documents seen to shed light on her alleged unexplained wealth and the supposed discrepancies in her statements of assets, liabilities and net worth.

“The production of documents merely allows the court to determine their relevance and evidentiary value. It does not establish liability, nor does it diminish the constitutional presumption of fairness that every respondent is entitled to. ,” Carpio added.

“We recognize and respect the authority of the Senate impeachment court. We will continue to comply with every lawful directive,” Carpio said.

He maintained that responsible public discourse requires restraint.

“The submission of evidence should never be confused with proof of wrongdoing. The integrity of the impeachment process depends on allowing the court to evaluate the evidence objectively and render its judgment solely on the basis of facts and law,” he added.

‘President Marcos followed law’

President Marcos just followed the law when he allowed the submission of tax records of Vice President Duterte and her husband to the Senate impeachment court, Malacañang maintained yesterday.

“If he has issues regarding this, it is his right to file whatever action he sees fit, and we will simply wait to see the outcome,” Palace press officer Claire Castro said.

Castro also hit back at the Vice President’s portrayal of the President as someone who lacks leadership capability and claiming that the country is in trouble.

“In reality, who is actually causing disturbance? Who is plotting destabilization? Isn’t it their group? All because they want to snatch the position from the President? And yet, she claims it is his right to speak out as an ordinary citizen? Every Filipino is free to speak, but not by spreading fake news,” the spokesperson added.

Records needed

Sen. Erwin Tulfo yesterday defended the release of the Vice President’s tax records to the Senate impeachment court, saying that the documents are necessary to determine whether her wealth was accumulated before she entered public office.

According to Tulfo, the tax records would help establish a financial baseline as the impeachment court hears the complaint against Duterte.

“We really need to see the records because if Vice President Sara says she and her husband have a certain amount of money, we want to see the history. When was that wealth accumulated?” Tulfo said over dzMM. — Mark Ernest Villeza, Daphne Galvez, Helen Flores

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