NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
House Prosecutors Push To Open Sealed BIR Evidence Box In VP Sara Impeachment Case
Photo credit: Rep. Gerville Luistro
House prosecutors remain hopeful that the Senate impeachment court will eventually allow the opening of a sealed Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) evidence box, despite objections from the defense during the pre-trial proceedings involving Vice President Sara Duterte.
Lead prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said the prosecution believes the sealed box may contain documents relevant to the impeachment article concerning Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth. However, she noted that the defense opposed not only the opening of the box but also its simple marking as an exhibit.
According to Luistro, the House requested the BIR to submit the income tax returns (ITRs) of the Vice President and her husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio, through a subpoena issued during the House impeachment proceedings. Instead of individual documents, the BIR turned over a sealed box, leaving prosecutors unaware of its exact contents.
Luistro explained that the House intentionally left the box unopened out of respect for the authority of the Senate impeachment court, which now has custody of the evidence after it was transmitted together with the Articles of Impeachment.
She argued that marking the sealed box as evidence does not violate the respondent's rights, emphasizing that questions regarding the admissibility of evidence should only be raised during the formal presentation of exhibits, not during the marking stage.
House prosecutor and Akbayan Party-list Rep. Jose Manuel Diokno said the prosecution's motion has already been submitted to the impeachment court, which may decide on the issue either before the trial formally begins or on its opening day.
The prosecution maintains that the documents inside the sealed box could help establish the lawful income of Duterte and her spouse, information they believe is relevant in addressing allegations related to unexplained wealth. Prosecutors also stressed that since the sealed box is already in the Senate's possession, there may no longer be a need for another subpoena before the court decides whether it should be opened.
Lead prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said the prosecution believes the sealed box may contain documents relevant to the impeachment article concerning Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth. However, she noted that the defense opposed not only the opening of the box but also its simple marking as an exhibit.
According to Luistro, the House requested the BIR to submit the income tax returns (ITRs) of the Vice President and her husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio, through a subpoena issued during the House impeachment proceedings. Instead of individual documents, the BIR turned over a sealed box, leaving prosecutors unaware of its exact contents.
Luistro explained that the House intentionally left the box unopened out of respect for the authority of the Senate impeachment court, which now has custody of the evidence after it was transmitted together with the Articles of Impeachment.
She argued that marking the sealed box as evidence does not violate the respondent's rights, emphasizing that questions regarding the admissibility of evidence should only be raised during the formal presentation of exhibits, not during the marking stage.
House prosecutor and Akbayan Party-list Rep. Jose Manuel Diokno said the prosecution's motion has already been submitted to the impeachment court, which may decide on the issue either before the trial formally begins or on its opening day.
The prosecution maintains that the documents inside the sealed box could help establish the lawful income of Duterte and her spouse, information they believe is relevant in addressing allegations related to unexplained wealth. Prosecutors also stressed that since the sealed box is already in the Senate's possession, there may no longer be a need for another subpoena before the court decides whether it should be opened.
Jun 26, 2026
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