The House prosecution panel announced plans to open in public court a sealed box from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) once the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte begins on Monday, July 6.
Prosecutors stressed that transparency is crucial, as the box contains tax records of Duterte and her husband, Atty. Manases “Mans” Carpio.
Panel adviser Robert Ace Barbers explained that if discrepancies are found between these records and the Vice President’s declared Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), they could serve as strong evidence of alleged unexplained wealth.
While Duterte’s camp is expected to appeal to the Supreme Court to block the move on grounds of confidentiality, the prosecution assured that it is ready backed by private lawyers to defend its position on the trial’s opening day.
