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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Bantug: Decision on BIR box issue still up to the impeachment court

Bantug: Decision on BIR box issue still up to the impeachment court

Published Jun 27, 2026 04:17 pm

At A Glance

  • It remains up to the Senate impeachment court to decide whether the BIR box issue will be resolved before the trial proper or during the impeachment proceedings of Vice President Sara Duterte.
  • The defense has already filed its comment on the prosecution's request, but Senate Secretary Renato Bantug declined to disclose its contents.
It remains up to the Senate impeachment court to decide whether the issue on Bureau of  Internal (BIR) box will be resolved before the trial proper or during the impeachment proceedings of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Senators, led by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, take their oath as the impeachment court convenes at the Senate in Pasay City on Monday, May 18, 2026, for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Duterte is facing impeachment charges over alleged misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, and statements against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then House Speaker Martin Romualdez. (Mark Balmores)
Senators, led by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, take their oath as the impeachment court convenes at the Senate in Pasay City on Monday, May 18, 2026, for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Duterte is facing impeachment charges over alleged misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, and statements against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then House Speaker Martin Romualdez. (Mark Balmores)
This was according to Senate Secretary and Impeachment Clerk of Court Renato Bantug, who stated that the matter will likely be included either in the pre-trial order or in a separate memorandum.
Bantug said the document was intended to help members of the impeachment court make an informed decision on how they want to proceed with the issue.
"Isa po 'yan sa mga pinag-iisipan namin ngayon kasama ang staff kung paano po ang magiging latag namin sa pre-trial order (What we're thinking of right now, how will we put it in the pre-trial order)," Bantug told reporters.
He explained that the prosecution filed its manifestation seeking to open the sealed BIR box for marking as evidence, while the defense submitted its comment on Friday.
The sealed box of tax records submitted by the BIR contains the income tax returns (ITRs) of Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio.
Bantug has declined to disclose the contents of the defense's comment, saying it would be more appropriate for the defense panel to discuss its own filing.
When asked whether the question of opening the box could instead be resolved during the actual impeachment trial, Bantug said the matter ultimately depends on the impeachment court.
"Yan po yung magiging depende sa (That will depend on the) impeachment court on how they wish to proceed. Sa ngayon, hindi ko pa masabi (For now, I can't say)," he said.
Bantug also said he aims to submit the draft pre-trial order to Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian by Sunday. Once released, the prosecution, defense, and members of the impeachment court will be given three days to file comments.
Those comments could still lead to revisions or a corrected pre-trial order if inaccuracies or oversights are identified.
He earlier stated that the Senate may hold another pre-trial conference session solely to address the disputed BIR box if the impeachment court orders it.

Related Tags

impeachment court Vice President Sara Duterte Renato Bantug
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