MANILA, Philippines — Lawyer and former Ateneo School of Government dean Tony La Viña believes the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte may hinge on whether investigators can examine her official bank accounts.
During a forum held Saturday at the University of the Philippines Diliman, La Viña said obtaining the vice president’s bank records could be vital to proving allegations tied to unexplained wealth and the alleged misuse of confidential funds.
He warned, however, that efforts to access the accounts may face legal obstacles, including possible intervention from both the impeachment court and the Supreme Court.
The impeachment trial against Duterte is expected to begin on July 6.
La Viña identified the allegations surrounding confidential funds as among the most significant issues confronting the vice president.
In previous House hearings, the Anti-Money Laundering Council informed lawmakers that banks had reported suspicious and covered transactions allegedly involving Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio. The transactions reportedly reached P6.7 billion.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Audit earlier disallowed P73.28 million in confidential funds released to the Office of the Vice President in 2022, citing expenditures allegedly unrelated to the intended use of such funds. The COA ruling was later upheld and discussed in another congressional inquiry.
Despite the controversies, La Viña acknowledged that convicting Duterte would be politically difficult because a two-thirds vote, or 16 senators, is required in the impeachment court.
Still, he said evidence presented during the proceedings could influence senators and shift public sentiment.
La Viña also cited the importance of signals coming from Malacañang, noting that presidents historically played influential roles in major impeachment cases.
He referenced the impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona in 2012, saying political pressure allegedly helped secure enough votes for conviction.
According to La Viña, public vigilance will also be critical as the impeachment process unfolds, especially if attempts are made to dismiss the case early.
He called on the public to closely monitor developments and respond strongly to actions that could derail the proceedings.
ia/xf
