Senate impeachment court bars forced admission of Sara Duterte’s bank accounts

On Tuesday, the Senate impeachment court, led by Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero, decided that Vice President Sara Duterte cannot be forced to admit ownership of bank accounts whose records were submitted during her impeachment proceedings. The House prosecution panel had previously filed a request for admission covering 104 matters, but withdrew it on Monday and asked the defense to agree to stipulations confirming the accounts’ existence and authenticity.

Escudero ruled that Duterte need not answer the request and that her silence will not be treated as an admission, yet he refused to erase the request from the court’s docket. He cited the constitutional protection against self-incrimination under Section 17, Article III, which supersedes Rule 26 of the Civil Procedure Rules. The presiding judge also reminded that the prosecution retains the burden of proof and cannot shift it to the respondent through admission requests. The case centers on accusations that Duterte accumulated unexplained wealth and failed to fully disclose assets while serving as vice president.