Senate impeachment court Presiding Officer Francis Escudero on Tuesday ordered the return of the so-called “BIR box” to the Bureau of Internal Revenue, saying it is not yet under the custody of the impeachment court.
During the proceedings, Escudero said the sealed box had been turned over to the Senate as part of the documents related to the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.
However, he said there is no lawful order placing the box under the court’s custody and it has not yet been formally offered or marked as evidence.
“However, the court is not yet in custodial 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, nor as of yet marked,” Escudero said.
He then directed that the box be returned unopened.
“The chair therefore orders that the BIR box, closed, sealed, and as it is received, be sent back to the BIR,” he said.
