By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
Malacañang on Friday defended President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s decision to authorize the disclosure of Vice President Sara Duterte’s tax records, saying the move followed due process and existing laws.
In a video message, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Marcos Jr. directed the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to comply with the subpoena issued by the Senate impeachment court.
“Sa ngayon, ang sinusunod po ng Pangulo ay proseso, batas, para sa katotohanan,” Castro said.
Castro issued the statement after Duterte’s husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, sought a judicial review of the release of their tax records.
Carpio said the President’s authorization for the disclosure should be evaluated under the applicable constitutional and statutory framework governing taxpayer information and the exercise of executive authority.
Castro said those who are questioning the release of the tax records, including Carpio, are free to pursue legal remedies.
“Kung siya po ay may isyu patungkol po dito, karapatan naman po niya na magsampa ng anumang aksiyon at tingnan lang po natin kung ano ang magiging resulta nito. Karapatan niya po ‘yan,” she said.
She stressed that individuals with nothing to hide should have no reason to fear the disclosure of financial records.
She added that taxpayers should instead take pride if their income came from lawful and legitimate means.
“Tandaan natin, kung wala ka naman nililihim at wala naman makikitang anomalya sa mga records na pinabubuksan, hindi kailangang matakot,” Castro said.
“Dapat maging proud pa kayo na itong kita ninyo ay galing sa malinis na paraan,” she added.
The BIR on Thursday reportedly transmitted Duterte’s tax records to the Senate impeachment court following the President’s approval. The records also include those of Carpio, as well as companies linked to the couple.
The Senate Impeachment Court earlier granted the prosecution’s request to issue subpoenas for Duterte’s tax records, bank records, and other financial documents.
