The House Committee on Justice has decided to keep sealed the box containing Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) records linked to Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, Atty. Manases Carpio, after voting against a motion to open the box during impeachment-related proceedings.
In a vote held during the committee’s session, 38 members opposed the opening of the box, six supported it, and none abstained, effectively upholding its sealed status.
The motion to open the documents was filed by Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, who argued for greater transparency in the handling of the records submitted to the panel.
“The motion to open the box is hereby denied,” said Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro, chair of the House Committee on Justice, after announcing the results of the vote.
The sealed box was submitted to the committee last week by BIR Commissioner Charlito Mendoza during impeachment proceedings, following a subpoena issued by lawmakers. Mendoza, however, invoked Section 20(a) of the National Internal Revenue Code, stating that the documents are subject to restrictions and should be examined in an executive session as provided by law.
The committee’s decision means the records will remain confidential pending further proceedings, as lawmakers continue their inquiry into financial documents connected to the impeachment complaint against the Vice President.