The Senate impeachment court on Wednesday went into a caucus to deliberate on requests to subpoena Vice President Sara Duterte’s and her husband’s bank records, including peso and dollar accounts, and documents involving corporate accounts.
Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero said senator-judges would first discuss the legal questions among themselves after hearing the positions of the prosecution and defense before issuing a ruling during Day 6 of Duterte’s impeachment trial.
“We have a precedent that I think, if I remember correctly, involves the good gentleman himself,” Escudero said, referring to the Senate’s handling of subpoena requests against then Chief Justice Renato Corona and his family during his 2012 impeachment trial.
Senator-judge Alan Peter Cayetano said the requests should not be treated as a single issue, noting that subpoenas involving Duterte, her husband, bank deposits and corporate accounts could require separate legal considerations.
“I can tell you honestly right now, I don’t know what to vote for, what my vote will be. But I do know that these are two important issues,” Cayetano said.
He also raised the need to determine whether the requested documents would constitute a “fishing expedition” and said the court should clearly explain the legal basis for its eventual decision.
Cayetano said a detailed ruling would help both parties understand the court’s reasoning should they seek reconsideration or elevate the issue to the Supreme Court.
Escudero later declared a recess and told the prosecution and defense panels that they would be advised when to return once the senator-judges were close to completing their caucus.
“In the meantime, kindly relax and study the next witnesses you will be presenting,” Escudero said. (PNA)