The House Committee on Justice on Wednesday, April 29, voted 6-38-0 to deny a motion to open a sealed Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) box linked to Vice President Sara Z. Duterte and Atty. Mans Carpio, keeping the evidence unopened pending the determination of probable cause in the impeachment proceedings.
Committee Chairperson and Batangas 2nd District Rep. Atty. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” R. Luistro ruled that the motion would not proceed, emphasizing caution in the ongoing hearings on multiple impeachment complaints filed against the Vice President.
“The motion to open the BIR box is denied,” Luistro said during the session.
The box, reportedly containing BIR records relevant to the complaints, has been at the center of debate among lawmakers. With the committee still in the process of evaluating probable cause, Luistro said the evidence will remain sealed until further determination is made.
The motion to open the box drew differing positions among complainant endorsers. Supporters of the Saballa et al. complaint pushed for its immediate opening, while endorsers of the Cabrera complaint opposed it, citing procedural concerns.
Rep. Suarez, who earlier moved to table the opening of the so-called “green box,” said lawmakers should weigh both legal and practical implications.
“Lahat naman tayo ay gustong malaman kung anong nilalaman… at kung ito ba ay makakatulong sa atin para makarating sa tamang desisyon,” Suarez said. “Sa palagay ko, legally may sapat na tayong dahilan para buksan yan at malaman," he said.
However, Suarez cited ongoing legal challenges filed before the Supreme Court and regional trial courts by the Vice President’s camp, warning that prematurely opening the box could trigger further court interventions and delay proceedings.
“I would rather heed the call of the chairwoman… because for all we know, opening this box… might trigger another petition in the court,” he added, suggesting the matter be deferred to the Senate stage of impeachment trial.
With the vote, the committee maintained the status quo, leaving the BIR box sealed as deliberations on probable cause continue in the impeachment complaints against Vice President Duterte.
