Duterte impeachment trial: Senate junks bid vs AMLC report

The Senate Impeachment Court has ruled to reject the defense team’s objection to the prosecution’s request for a subpoena of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) report on Vice President Sara Duterte’s financial transactions. The decision, delivered by Presiding Officer and Senator-Judge Francis Escudero during Monday’s trial, affirmed that the AMLC records are accessible to judicial and legislative bodies under existing legal precedents. Escudero stated that the defense’s argument, that the AMLC is shielded from compulsory court processes due to confidentiality provisions, was legally unavailing. He referenced a landmark Supreme Court ruling in Republic v. Sandiganbayan (G.R. Nos. 232724-27, February 15, 2021), which rejected the AMLC’s attempt to quash a subpoena duces tecum. The court emphasized that the AMLC was established to investigate and prosecute money laundering, and withholding such information would undermine its constitutional mandate. In his ruling, Escudero quoted the Supreme Court’s directive that the AMLC is “not merely a repository of reports and information on covered and suspicious transactions” and that barring disclosure would contradict its purpose. He further noted that the AMLC’s refusal to provide the requested information would be “to go against its own functions under the law.” Escudero also cited another Supreme Court decision in Sabio v. Gordon (G.R. No. 174340, October 17, 2006), which held that statutory confidentiality provisions cannot prevent Congress from accessing information necessary for legislative purposes. Applying this principle, he concluded that the Senate Impeachment Court should not be denied access to AMLC records simply because other entities could obtain them. The prosecution sought the subpoena to support its allegations that Duterte amassed unexplained wealth over the years, including while she served as vice president. This aligns with broader concerns raised by the House of Representatives committee on justice, which held hearings on the two impeachment complaints against Duterte in early April. The focus of these hearings included allegations of unexplained wealth and the failure to disclose assets in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN). During the hearing, AMLC Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura testified that the council identified covered and suspicious transactions involving Duterte and her relatives, including her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio. When asked whether the AMLC had found such transactions, Buenaventura confirmed the existence of these findings before clarifying that the council had not yet released the full details. The ongoing impeachment trial against Duterte is distinct from past proceedings. While she was previously impeached by the House of Representatives in February 2025, the Supreme Court ruled the articles of impeachment unconstitutional for violating the one-year bar rule. After the court upheld this decision in January 2026, new complaints were filed in February 2026, leading to Duterte’s reimposition of impeachment by the House in May 2026. The Senate is now conducting the trial, convening as an impeachment court since July 6. Duterte faces multiple allegations, including misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and threats against prominent political figures. These accusations have drawn significant public attention, with some media outlets reporting that the trial has become a focal point of political discourse. As the trial progresses, the Senate Impeachment Court will continue to evaluate evidence and determine the validity of the charges. The ruling on the AMLC subpoena underscores the court’s commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in the process. The outcome of the trial will likely shape the political landscape for months to come.