Former Senator Franklin Drilon asserted that Vice President Sara Duterte's bank and tax records are exempt from confidentiality laws due to her ongoing impeachment trial.The Senate impeachment court is set to decide on the House prosecution panel's request for subpoenas regarding Duterte's financial documents.

Drilon emphasized that impeachment trials are an exception to the Bank Secrecy Law, allowing the court to subpoena records to hold officials accountable for corruption.He cited precedents from past impeachment cases, including Chief Justice Corona's trial, where similar measures were justified.

The defense, however, argued that the subpoena request constitutes a 'fishing expedition' as the allegations against Duterte lack supporting evidence.They also raised concerns about violating her constitutional rights to privacy and due process.

Drilon clarified that the prosecution can access Duterte's financial records even before she became Vice President, as public officials cannot hide unexplained wealth in conjugal accounts.The impeachment case against Duterte involves charges of corruption, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes.She was impeached by the House for the second time, and the Senate is now deliberating on the validity of the charges.