Senate Impeachment Court Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero ordered the immediate return of a sealed box containing the tax documents of Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, Atty. Mans Carpio, to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Monday, declaring that the chamber currently lacks legal custody over them.
The directive was issued during the first day of the Vice President’s impeachment trial, where the financial records were anticipated to serve as crucial evidence regarding her alleged unexplained wealth.
Escudero clarified that while the sealed box arrived at the Senate alongside the articles of impeachment, no official judicial directive had been issued to formally transition the documents into the custody of the impeachment court.
“The court is not yet in custodia legis of this box given that there is no lawful order issued by the court for this box to be turned over to the Senate,” Escudero said.
He further emphasized that the financial records had not been officially marked or introduced as evidence for the trial.
“The chair, therefore, orders that the BIR box be closed, sealed, and as it is received, be sent back to the BIR without prejudice to any action that the court may take if a motion will be filed by either party for the issuance of a subpoena,” he added.
The presiding officer noted that the court will defer any further decisions regarding the files to BIR Commissioner Charlito Mendoza, pending any potential subpoena requests from either the prosecution or defense panels.