MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives’ committee on justice is set to deliberate on the income tax returns (ITRs) of Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, Atty. Manases Carpio, when the impeachment hearing resumes on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Committee chair Rep. Gerville Luistro confirmed that the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has already complied with a subpoena duces tecum, rendering a recent legal challenge by Carpio “moot and academic.”
The focus of the upcoming session will be to cross-reference the couple’s tax filings with the Vice President’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) to investigate allegations of unexplained wealth.
The hearing comes as the committee secures critical financial data following a period of legal maneuvering:
- The Subpoenaed Evidence: The BIR submitted the couple’s ITRs on April 14, according to Luistro. Additionally, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is expected to present general information sheets and audited financial statements for the couple’s declared business interests.
- Carpio’s Petition: Manases Carpio had filed for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) in a Quezon City court to block the release of his tax records, citing constitutional rights to privacy and the Data Privacy Act.
- The Ruling Perspective: Luistro noted that because the documents are already in the committee’s possession, the prayer to stop their submission is no longer enforceable. “The issue of issuance of TRO is already moot and academic,” Luistro told reporters.
The scrutiny of tax records is part of a broader investigation into the Vice President’s rapid wealth accumulation:
- SALN Discrepancies: Rep. Terry Ridon earlier pointed out that Duterte’s net worth reportedly ballooned by over 1,000 percent—from ₱7.2 million in 2007 to ₱88.51 million in 2024.
- Goal of the Inquiry: Legislators aim to determine if the couple’s declared income from law practices and businesses aligns with the asset increases reported in the SALNs submitted during her time as Davao City mayor and Vice President.
The committee is currently handling two separate impeachment complaints. Beyond the financial probe, the House is also investigating:
- Confidential Funds: Alleged misuse of confidential and intelligence funds within the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.
- Threat Allegations: A separate hearing scheduled for April 29 will address accusations regarding alleged assassination threats made by the Vice President against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the First Lady, and the former House Speaker.
As the proceedings advance, the committee expects to hear further testimony from former aides and government commissioners to validate the authenticity of the financial disclosures.