The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is set to open July 6, with the prosecution declaring itself fully prepared to argue its case. But before the first witness takes the stand, a dispute has surfaced over how one specific piece of evidence should be handled: the tax records of Duterte and her husband, Mans Carpio.
The House prosecution panel wants those records — contained in what has been described as a sealed box from the Bureau of Internal Revenue and believed to hold the couple’s income tax returns — presented openly before the impeachment court rather than reviewed in a closed-door setting.
Private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan framed the panel’s stance as a matter of public accountability. Although the prosecutors are pleased that Duterte’s lawyers have signaled willingness to have the box opened, Kapunan said the team continues to argue that evidence should be laid out where the public can see it. “Hindi pwedeng i-executive session ang mga ebidensya but we will leave it to the discretion of the impeachment court,” she said while attending a mass.
The positions of the two camps shifted over recent days. Prosecutors had first characterized the defense as strongly opposed to opening the BIR box. That account was later softened. At a June 29 press briefing that also introduced a second group of private lawyers joining the prosecution, public prosecutor and Rep. Leila De Lima said the defense was “not averse” to the box being opened — provided it happened in executive session, away from public view.
Kapunan pointed to the pre-trial as a turning point, noting the defense had consented to having the disputed container marked as evidence. “Ang magandang nangyari sa pre-trial eh pumayag rin ang defense na markahan ‘yung mahiwagang BIR box,” she said.
Lead prosecutor and Rep. Gerville Luistro of Batangas’ 2nd district said the team’s groundwork stretches back well before the trial date. “As a matter of fact, we have been preparing since the 19th Congress. And I can honestly tell the Filipino people, the house prosecutors, and the private prosecutors are all ready as we start this impeachment trial,” she said, speaking in a mix of Filipino and English.
Both prosecution and defense are expected to deliver opening statements when proceedings begin, launching a trial scheduled to run 92 days. Kapunan said the prosecution also has its witnesses lined up, with testimony to follow a fixed daily pace. “Ang rule diyan is one witness a day,” she said.
