Metro Manila, Philippines – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has directed a tax audit on Vice President Sara Duterte, her spouse Mans Carpio, and nine business entities linked to them.
In a press statement on Tuesday, April 28, the agency said it has ordered letters of authority to conduct a tax probe on the couple and their firms, after finding probable cause for an audit investigation.
The move allows revenue officers to examine their books of accounts and accounting records.
This comes as impeachment proceedings against the vice president are already underway over a number of allegations, including unexplained wealth.
The BIR said it took note of the testimony of the ombudsman and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) during the impeachment hearing on April 22.
The AMLC earlier disclosed that Duterte and Carpio registered at least ₱6.77 billion in covered and suspicious bank transactions from 2006 to 2025, which both have separately denied.
The Office of the Ombudsman also testified that Duterte did not declare cash on hand and bank in her statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN) from 2019 to 2024, leading lawmakers to question the disparity between her declared wealth and bank records.
The BIR listed the businesses subject to audit:
• Carpio Lawyers (Formerly Carpio & Duterte Lawyers)
• Zelta Matiem Salon
• City Hall King Chow Foods Corporation
• Davao Bounty Times Foods Corporation
• Madayaw Fisheries Inc.
• Davao Emerging Taipans Corporation
• Amianan Shores, Inc.
• Cale88 Foods Corporation
• Geometry Security and Investigation Agency, Inc.
“The end objective of this lawful exercise is to collect the correct taxes due to the government. This will be a rules-based approach in determining the truth. Rights will be accorded to the audited entities,” the BIR said in a statement.
BIR Commissioner Charlito Mendoza noted that the investigation is not a conclusion of liability.
“Where there is a basis to investigate, the BIR will do so. And if evidence of tax violations exists, it is our duty to pursue the appropriate civil, administrative, or criminal remedies,” he said.
NewsWatch Plus has reached out to Duterte’s office and Carpio’s legal team.
