The House prosecution panel filed a manifestation for the opening of a sealed box from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) containing the tax documents of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Mamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima, a member of the House prosecution team, said the panel filed a manifestation during the pre-trial conference on Duterte's impeachment trial on Wednesday.

"Since we are in the marking of exhibits, this is the proper stage for the opening of the box so we'll have an inventory of the contents of that particular BIR box," she said.

"We also think that opening it now during the stage of pre-trial will aid in a more efficient and more expeditious conduct of (impeachment) trial," she added.

In an interview with reporters, Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. said the manifestation filed by the House prosecution panel will have to be decided by the Senate impeachment court.

"That's one thing that would have to be resolved by the impeachment court," he said.

"I haven't been able to discuss it with the Senate President yet, but so far, I more or less have the documents ready for transmittal to the offices of the Senator judges," he added.

Bantug explained that there is no definite rule if the impeachment court has to convene first before the manifestation will be decided but he noted that it is a matter that he needs to discuss with the Senate president.

"There's no set and definite rule for that, but it is something that I would need to discuss with the Senate President, and I'm sure he would also consult the other members of the Senate on how to best address the issue of the box," he said. Robina Asido/PHS