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Advocates Philippines
House Questions Defense's Late BIR Move
Screengrab from Congress PH
The House prosecution panel has welcomed the defense's decision to accept the opening of the sealed Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) box in the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte—but it's also asking why that position came only after the pre-trial conference had already ended.
House trial spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong said the defense had previously objected even to the simple marking of the sealed BIR box during pre-trial proceedings. He said the latest filing marks a clear change in position and could have spared valuable time if it had been raised earlier.
"If this was the defense's position from the start, why wait until after the pre-trial conference?" Adiong asked, noting that the shift now narrows the dispute to how the BIR box should be opened rather than whether it should be opened at all.
According to Adiong, that is a positive step because it allows the impeachment proceedings to move closer to the presentation of evidence before the Senate impeachment court.
Still, he questioned the defense's proposal to hold another executive session before the sealed box is opened and the documents are pre-marked.
"For us, the issue is simple," he said. "Will another executive session help move the case forward, or will it only create another procedural delay? That is now up to the Impeachment Court to decide."
The defense has also proposed safeguards on how the documents will be handled and disclosed, while reserving the right to challenge their admissibility during the trial.
Adiong stressed that opening and pre-marking the documents does not automatically make them evidence. He said the impeachment court will still decide on their admissibility during the trial itself.
"Our goal has always been to ensure an orderly and efficient process while fully respecting due process," he said.
With the trial set to begin on July 6, Adiong expressed hope that procedural disputes are now nearing an end.
"The Filipino people have waited long enough," he said. "We hope there will be no more unnecessary delays so the court can focus on what truly matters—the evidence."
The House prosecution panel said it wants the proceedings to move beyond procedural debates and toward the presentation of documents and witnesses, allowing the Senate impeachment court to decide the case based on the evidence presented.
House trial spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong said the defense had previously objected even to the simple marking of the sealed BIR box during pre-trial proceedings. He said the latest filing marks a clear change in position and could have spared valuable time if it had been raised earlier.
"If this was the defense's position from the start, why wait until after the pre-trial conference?" Adiong asked, noting that the shift now narrows the dispute to how the BIR box should be opened rather than whether it should be opened at all.
According to Adiong, that is a positive step because it allows the impeachment proceedings to move closer to the presentation of evidence before the Senate impeachment court.
Still, he questioned the defense's proposal to hold another executive session before the sealed box is opened and the documents are pre-marked.
"For us, the issue is simple," he said. "Will another executive session help move the case forward, or will it only create another procedural delay? That is now up to the Impeachment Court to decide."
The defense has also proposed safeguards on how the documents will be handled and disclosed, while reserving the right to challenge their admissibility during the trial.
Adiong stressed that opening and pre-marking the documents does not automatically make them evidence. He said the impeachment court will still decide on their admissibility during the trial itself.
"Our goal has always been to ensure an orderly and efficient process while fully respecting due process," he said.
With the trial set to begin on July 6, Adiong expressed hope that procedural disputes are now nearing an end.
"The Filipino people have waited long enough," he said. "We hope there will be no more unnecessary delays so the court can focus on what truly matters—the evidence."
The House prosecution panel said it wants the proceedings to move beyond procedural debates and toward the presentation of documents and witnesses, allowing the Senate impeachment court to decide the case based on the evidence presented.
Jun 27, 2026
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