Senate impeachment court blocks inquiry into Duterte's foreign bank accounts

MANILA — The prosecution team in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial faced a procedural setback on Wednesday when the Senate Impeachment Court blocked an attempt to expand the investigation into her financial holdings.

Private prosecutor James Bryan Ibrahim Alih sought to question the Bank of the Philippine Islands about whether the institution maintains any foreign accounts registered under Duterte's name. The inquiry was intended to probe the extent of her overseas financial assets as part of the broader impeachment proceedings against her.

However, the court ruled that the proposed line of questioning exceeded the parameters set by the existing subpoena and therefore could not proceed. The decision limited the scope of evidence the prosecution could present regarding Duterte's financial accounts during the trial.

The development marks another significant moment in the high-profile impeachment case, which resumed Wednesday after previous adjournments. The court's restrictive interpretation of the subpoena's scope has constrained the prosecution's ability to investigate Duterte's financial dealings through banking institutions.

The case continues with further proceedings scheduled as both the prosecution and defense present their respective arguments before the Senate Impeachment Court.