The Senate impeachment court ordered the return of a sealed “green box” from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) containing the tax records of Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, Atty. Mans Carpio, ruling that it is not yet under the court’s custody and has not been formally offered as evidence in the impeachment proceedings.

Presiding Officer Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero clarified that the box was transmitted to the Senate as part of case documents but cannot be considered part of the court’s official evidence at this stage.

“This box was turned over to the Senate as part of the documents, including the articles of impeachment. However, 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. More so that it is not yet offered in evidence, not even as of yet marked,” Escudero said.

He stressed that the materials had neither been formally marked nor admitted as evidence in the ongoing trial.

The court therefore ordered that the sealed BIR box be returned to the BIR, without prejudice to any future motions that either party may file for the issuance of a subpoena should the documents be deemed necessary.

“The Chair therefore orders that the BIR box, closed, sealed, and as it is received, be sent back to the BIR or the Bureau of Internal Revenue… So ordered,” Escudero added.

The impeachment court noted that it will await any further action from the parties or the BIR should the documents later be formally requested and presented in accordance with court procedures.