Gatchalian: VP tax records not top priority in impeachment agenda

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — Opening the sealed Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) box containing Vice President Sara Duterte’s tax records may not necessarily be No. 1 on the agenda of the impeachment court when it opens the trial on July 6, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said on Tuesday.

Gatchalian ruled out a separate pretrial conference for the BIR box, adding that it will be left to the impeachment court to decide on the matter should it be raised during the trial.

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“When the time comes, I’m sure if the prosecution raises the matter, then we will decide on that,” he added, pointing out that this can be done even if the box wasn’t marked during the pretrial conference.

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The impeachment court ended the pretrial conference last Thursday without opening the box, which was among the evidence that the prosecution is pushing to be presented in relation to Article II of the Articles of Impeachment filed against Duterte.

READ: VP OK to BIR box opening in closed doors – De Lima

The green cardboard box containing the tax records of Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, has remained sealed since it was turned over by the BIR to the House committee on justice during its hearings in April.

Crucial link

Prosecutors consider the tax documents crucial in linking Duterte’s statements of assets, liabilities and net worth, and an Anti-Money Laundering Council report on her bank transactions to allegations of unexplained wealth in the impeachment complaint.

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After earlier posing objections, Duterte’s legal team had agreed in principle to the House prosecution panel’s manifestation to open the sealed box so its contents could be marked as evidence before the court. But the defense team wanted this to be done in an executive session, a proposal questioned by the prosecution.

Renato Bantug Jr., Senate Secretary and Impeachment Clerk of Court, said only the impeachment court may decide whether it should be opened, inventoried or marked because the matter involves substantive issues.

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READ: Gatchalian: Impeachment court all set for Sara Duterte trial on July 6

The trial proper shall be held at 2 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from July 6 to July 27. Thereafter, trial shall be held at 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Preparations ‘on track’

Meanwhile, Gatchalian conducted a walk-through of the Senate building on Tuesday to inspect the venues and facilities that will be used for the impeachment trial, saying preparations remain on track ahead of the proceedings.

He said the Senate has completed the necessary preparations despite space constraints, with the defense and prosecution set to inspect their respective areas within the week.

“We’re on track, and even though the space is limited, we’ve managed to put everything in order. I understand the prosecution will come here to inspect its area. We will give both the defense and the prosecution the opportunity to inspect their respective areas within the week,” Gatchalian told reporters.

“We are very prepared. We are ready. In fact, today is the physical inspection, and we will continue to make improvements as we go along,” he added.

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The Senate remains under heightened security, although restrictions have been eased to allow visitors inside the premises. /cb