Manila: Philippine National Bank (PNB) and UnionBank of the Philippines have been directed to submit subpoenaed records by Thursday, as part of the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte. The Senate impeachment court, presided over by Senator Francis Escudero, issued this order on Monday, emphasizing that no further extension will be granted for the submission.

According to Philippines News Agency, the banks' requests for additional time were partially granted by the court. However, Senator Escudero insisted that the final deadline of September 17, 2026, must be adhered to. This directive comes as prosecutors from the House of Representatives present evidence related to Article II, which involves allegations of unexplained wealth and issues with asset and financial interest declarations.

Prosecutors have obtained various financial records, including bank and tax documents related to Duterte, her husband Manases Carpio, and associated companies, to support their case under Article II. In addition, Senator Escudero reminded Duterte's defense team of the approaching deadline for responding to the prosecution's 104 requests for admission concerning bank records and account ownership, set for September 23.

These requests aim to prompt the defense to confirm the authenticity of the subpoenaed bank documents and clarify whether the accounts in question are solely or jointly owned by Duterte. By resolving these admissions, the prosecution hopes to reduce the need for testimony from up to 15 bank representatives who would otherwise be required to verify the documents.

The financial records are a critical component of the prosecution's evidence, intended to be compared with Duterte's declared assets and legitimate income sources. This comparison is a crucial element in their efforts to substantiate the allegations outlined in Article II of the impeachment case.