Malacañang signaled Monday that any formal appeal to unseal Vice President Sara Duterte’s tax records would receive President Ferdinand Marcos’ consideration once it lands on his desk.
That document, however, has yet to arrive. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told reporters that the President’s office had received nothing on the matter to date.
“Wala pa po kasing naibibigay na anumang request, sulat sa Pangulo. So, kapag dumating na po ang kanilang hiling ito po ay aaralin at tingnan po natin kung ano ang magiging aksiyon ng Pangulo patungkol po diyan,” Castro said.
The question of presidential sign-off stems from remarks by Senator Panfilo Lacson, who indicated that Marcos’ authorization is a prerequisite before the green box holding Duterte’s tax information can be opened.
Custody of that box has already shifted. It was returned to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) after the defense objected to having it tagged as evidence.
From the Palace’s standpoint, the contents carry weight for the proceedings. Castro described the Vice President’s tax records as central to the trial and capable of resolving numerous outstanding questions.
“Siguro sa mata naman ng tao hindi lang sa atin, hindi lang dito ngayon na nasa room ng press briefing alam naman natin kung gaano kahalaga ang mga dokumento na maaaring magpakita ng katotohanan sa mga issues na ito,” she said.
She maintained that legitimate documentation of any kind holds value in establishing the facts, calling all such records important to laying out the truth.
