Solons say ‘good’ that Carpio complaint close to being junked

Vice President Sara Duterte (left) and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio. — File photos MANILA, Philippines — It is only right that the complaint from Vice President Sara Duterte’s husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, should move closer to dismissal since there is no basis to charge lawmakers over alleged breach of bank secrecy and data privacy laws, lawmakers said on Wednesday. In a press briefing on Wednesday, Manila Rep. Joel Chua — one of the respondents in the case filed by Carpio before the Quezon City prosecutor’s office — said that they were expecting that the complaint will be dismissed as it was merely a means to harass lawmakers who pushed for the inclusion of Carpio and Duterte’s bank and tax records as evidence for the impeachment case. According to Chua, it is only now that he has heard about a case being filed against lawmakers who merely agreed with a motion. Article continues after this advertisement “Well, we expect this decision because it was clear that this will be dismissed because first, this is a clear case of harassment towards us, as we were just fulfilling our duties. Second, the complaint really has no basis,” Chua, a member of the prosecution team for Duterte’s impeachment trial, said. READ: Prosec junks Carpio’s rap vs AMLC on disclosure of his, Duterte’s bank files “In fact, his complaint against me was, if I am not mistaken, because I agreed with a motion. When did such a thing became a crime? That’s why we welcome this decision, and this will not be a reason for us to lose focus from our work at the impeachment trial,” he added. Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said the development only shows that the world of the Duterte-Carpio couple is shrinking. “It is only right that the prosecutor junked the malicious and baseless case from Mans Carpio against us House prosecutors and other lawmakers,” Ridon said. “The world of the Duterte-Carpio couple is truly shrinking, and we are nearing the exciting part.” Article continues after this advertisement Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno, meanwhile, welcomes the decision of the prosecutor to recommend the dismissal of Carpio’s complaints. Diokno, like Chua and Ridon, are members of the public prosecution panel. Article continues after this advertisement “We welcome the decision of the prosecutor’s office to dismiss the case. We trust our justice system and at the end, the truth and justice prevails against a baseless accusation,” Diokno said in a separate statement. Earlier, Carpio’s counsel Peter Paul Danao confirmed that the Quezon City prosecutor’s office has recommended the dismissal of their complaint regarding the disclosure of Carpio and Duterte’s financial records at the hearing of the House of Representatives’ committee on justice. The said panel was then discussing the two impeachment complaints against Duterte, specifically allegations that the vice president had unexplained wealth, or assets not included in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth. “We acknowledge the Sept. 7, 2026 Resolution of the Quezon City prosecutor’s office recommending the dismissal of our client’s complaint against the respondents,” the lawyer said in a statement. “Once received, our client reserves the right to exhaust all available legal remedies to challenge the Resolution, consistent with his right to seek appropriate relief under the law and existing rules,” he said. Aside from lawmakers, Carpio also sued resource persons invited by the committee on justice, like officials of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC). Chua said this development will allow potential witnesses — like those who showed up at the committee on justice and were eventually charged also — to testify without fear before the impeachment court. “This has an impact because, at least, we can now see that there will no longer be anything that would prevent them from testifying in this impeachment trial, especially since what will be discussed now concerns unexplained wealth, which is what their complaint is about,” he said. “And I believe that the witnesses here will no longer be afraid because of the pending case that has been filed,” he added. The prosecution has finished presenting evidence and witnesses for Article IV or the allegation that Duterte betrayed public trust when she threatened President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his relatives. On Tuesday, counsel for the prosecution Lorna Kapunan said that they will forego the remaining 15 witnesses for Article I or the alleged misuse of confidential funds under Duterte’s office, while reserving their right to call the vice president to the witness stand, so she herself can address issues hurled at her. Due to this development, the Senate Impeachment Court did not hold trial on Wednesday and instead devoted the day the marking of additional evidence. Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. With the prosecution wrapping up Article I, the panel is expected to proceed to Article II or Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth by Monday, Sept. 14. /das