The legal team representing Vice President Sara Duterte has shifted its stance, agreeing to the opening of a sealed Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) box as part of the impeachment proceedings against her. This decision was highlighted by Benjamin "Jay" Tolosa Jr., spokesperson for the House prosecution panel.
Turning Point in Impeachment Proceedings
Insofar as we’re concerned, we would like to take that as a positive step towards transparency.
Benjamin "Jay" Tolosa Jr.
- The defense initially opposed the opening of the BIR box.
- Tolosa noted that the prosecution would leave conditions for the court to decide.
Tolosa remarked that the initial refusal to even mark the box has now progressed to an agreement to inventory its contents. However, the defense has stipulated conditions for this process, including conducting it in an executive session.
The upcoming trial is set to begin on July 6, and the prosecution is awaiting a pretrial order from the Senate impeachment court. Tolosa expressed optimism, stating, "We’re expecting to receive that pretrial order sometime soon, but definitely before July 6."
This development is significant not only for the impeachment trial but also for public perception of government transparency. The BIR box contains potentially sensitive records that could influence the course of the trial.