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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider VP Sara Duterte camp: 'BIR box' claim is premature, insists Impeachment Court must decide motions

VP Sara Duterte camp: 'BIR box' claim is premature, insists Impeachment Court must decide motions

Defense says only the Impeachment Court—not the Clerk of Court—can rule on motions in the Sara Duterte impeachment trial, urges public to await its formal response

Published Jun 26, 2026 08:29 pm
Vice President Sara Duterte faces impeachment proceedings before the Senate, with her defense team maintaining that only the Senate, sitting as the Impeachment Court, has the authority to rule on pending motions related to the case. (Manila Bulletin / file)
Vice President Sara Duterte faces impeachment proceedings before the Senate, with her defense team maintaining that only the Senate, sitting as the Impeachment Court, has the authority to rule on pending motions related to the case. (Manila Bulletin / file)
The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday, June 26, said it is premature to draw conclusions from recent statements made by Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong regarding the controversial "BIR box" in the ongoing impeachment proceedings.
In a statement issued by defense spokesperson Atty. Michael T. Poa, Duterte’s camp stressed that only the Senate, sitting as the Impeachment Court, has the authority to act on motions filed by either party.
Defense lawyer Michael Poa speaks to reporters at the Senate of the Philippines on June 25, 2026, providing an update on the ongoing pre-trial proceedings in the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte. (Mark Balmores / Manila Bulletin)
Defense lawyer Michael Poa speaks to reporters at the Senate of the Philippines on June 25, 2026, providing an update on the ongoing pre-trial proceedings in the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte. (Mark Balmores / Manila Bulletin)
“First and foremost, it must be emphasized that the Clerk of Court does not have the authority to rule on any motion made by either of the parties,” Poa said. “Such matters are solely for the Impeachment Court to resolve,” he added.
The statement was issued in response to media queries following Adiong's remarks regarding the defense team's position on the prosecution's Manifestation/Motion involving the so-called "BIR box."
Defense yet to respond to prosecution's motion
Poa emphasized that the defense has not yet formally commented on the prosecution's filing and should first be given the opportunity to do so before any public conclusions are drawn.
“More importantly, we have yet to comment on the Prosecution’s Manifestation/Motion, and we believe it is only proper that the Defense be given the opportunity to do so before conclusions are drawn in public,” Poa said.
The defense did not elaborate on the substance of the prosecution's motion or the issues surrounding the "BIR box."
Defense underscores Impeachment Court's authority
The defense team's statement reiterated that procedural matters in the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte fall exclusively within the jurisdiction of the Impeachment Court—not the Clerk of Court or other officials involved in the proceedings.
The camp maintained that any pending motions should be resolved through the proper legal process before the public draws conclusions or interpretations. 

Related Tags

Sara Duterte impeachment Sara Duterte impeachment trial BIR box Michael Poa Senate impeachment court
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