Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon on Thursday pushed for the formal marking of a Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) box as evidence in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, saying it contains tax documents that are central to the allegation of unexplained wealth.
During a press briefing on the fifth day of pre-trial proceedings before the Senate impeachment court, Ridon said the sealed box—turned over from the House of Representatives—should already be treated as object evidence while the court deliberates on a request to open and inventory its contents.
“That is our evidence. We brought that box from the House to the Senate, so I think we have every right to mark the box itself,” Ridon said, adding that the materials inside form part of the prosecution’s financial case.
According to Ridon, the box contains tax records of the Vice President and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, which were among documents subpoenaed from the BIR and are expected to help establish a long-term financial profile spanning years of public service.
He said the records would be compared with Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), along with BIR data, Anti-Money Laundering Council reports, and bank-related documents expected to be examined during trial proper.
He said the evidence is intended to show both the growth of Duterte’s declared net worth and whether her financial disclosures fully reflect her assets and liabilities over time.
He added that the prosecution expects the impeachment court to resolve whether the box may be opened and inventoried before it is formally marked, although he said the panel is prepared to defer to the court’s discretion.
“We will leave it to the court to decide,” he said, noting that the evidence is meant to provide a “two-pronged” view: a complete financial picture and a check for possible omissions in official declarations.
Meanwhile, Senate Secretary and impeachment court clerk of court Renato Bantug Jr. said the request to mark the box itself was new to him, noting that what had been formally filed was a manifestation seeking its opening, inventory, and subsequent marking.
Bantug said the matter remains pending before the impeachment court and stressed that he cannot preempt any ruling, adding that the physical turnover of the BIR box is scheduled for July 6, when the trial formally begins.
At present, Bantug said the court is still processing procedural submissions from both sides, including proposed trial durations submitted by the prosecution and defense.
On the witness list, Ridon reiterated the importance of “Mary Grace Piattos,” saying her alleged involvement is key to tracing the use of confidential funds.
He described the name as central to the controversy, though its authenticity remains under examination.
Defense counsel Atty. Michael Poa said they intend to cross-examine prosecution witnesses once they are presented, including former officials linked to the case.
Poa also said the Vice President may attend the trial only if necessary, depending on legal strategy and counsel’s advice, adding that her appearance will be determined by procedural and evidentiary needs rather than expectation of presence.