Marcos approves opening of Sara Duterte's tax records, Palace says

Malacañang on Thursday confirmed that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. gave clearance to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to open the tax records of Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio.

Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro said this in a press briefing, following the BIR’s submission of Duterte’s tax records to the Senate impeachment court.

“Ang tinatanong niya (reporter) ay kung nag-approve na or nagbigay na ng clearance ang Pangulo sa BIR upang mabuksan ang tax records ni VP Sara at saka ni Atty. Mans Carpio? Yes,” Castro said.

(The reporter was asking whether the President has already approved or granted clearance to the BIR to open the tax records of VP Sara and Atty. Mans Carpio? Yes.)

Under Section 71 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), tax returns shall be filed in the BIR’s Office of the Commissioner and shall constitute public records and be open to inspection upon the order of the President of the Philippines.

Castro told GMA News Online that the submission of Duterte’s tax records to the impeachment court allows its use during the trial.

“Ang submission ng BIR records ay pagpapaubaya sa impeachment court ang paggamit ng records sa trial,” she said.

(The submission of BIR records leaves the use of said records during the trial to the impeachment court.)

She also said that the President would only abide by what the law says and follow the proper process.

“So, kung ‘yan ang sinasabi at kinakailangan na magbigay siya ng kanyang approval sa BIR para mabuksan ang tax records nila VP Sara at Atty. Mans Carpio, at ito naman ay para sa katotohanan, hindi niya po ipagkakait ang katotohanan sa ating mga kababayan,” Castro said.

(Therefore, he would give the necessary approval to the BIR to open the tax records of VP Sara and Atty. Mans Carpio if it is necessary and in the interest of truth.)

Asked for a comment, Defense team spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa said that he has “no comment at this time.”

Last week, the court started issuing subpoenas for Duterte’s tax and bank records in relation to the impeachment trial. Among those issued with subpoenas were the BIR, the Anti-Money Laundering Council, and several banks.

Following Marcos’ approval to release the tax records of the Vice President, Castro acknowledged that the move could set a precedent for the next administrations.

She, however, maintained that Marcos’ decision was made for the sake of the truth.

She also shrugged off impending criticisms alleging that the move may be politically-motivated, saying that the President made the approval in accordance with the law.

“Sa lahat naman ng pagkakataon, kapag ang Pangulo ay gumagawa ng naaayon sa batas pero merong tinatamaan, laging sasabihin nila ‘politically motivated.’ So saan pupunta? Saan gagawi ang Pangulo?” Castro said.

(In all circumstances, when the President does something in accordance with the law but someone is affected, they always say it is ‘politically motivated.’ So where will he go? What should the President do?)

“Kahit ano pang sabihin ng iba, basta ang alam ng Pangulo siya ay tumutupad sa proseso, siya ay tumutupad sa batas, kahit siya pa ay paringgan o bigyan ng negatibong impresyon, hindi matitinag ang Pangulo basta siya ay sa batas at sa proseso,” she added.

(No matter what others say, as long as the President knows he is following the process, he is following the law, even if he is criticized or given a negative impression, the President will not be swayed as long as he is following the law and the process.)

The sealed green box containing the tax records of Duterte and her husband was sent back on July 7 to the BIR, a day after the Senate impeachment court ordered that it be returned unopened.

The Vice President's legal team previously said it would allow the box to be opened, but only if it is done during an executive session.

On July 20, Senate impeachment court presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero granted the House prosecution panel’s request to issue a subpoena for the tax, bank, and AMLC records of Duterte and Carpio. —VAL/RF, GMA News