MANILA— A Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) official told the Senate impeachment court on Friday that the contents of Letters of Authority (LOAs) issued to Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio, are confidential, as defense counsel presented the documents during the proceedings.

BIR Office of the Commissioner Chief of Staff Anne Loraine Garcia-Marquez made the statement after defense counsel Kristine Ferrer showed an LOA addressed to Carpio and dated April 29, 2026, covering the examination of all internal revenue taxes from Jan. 1, 2006, to Dec. 31, 2025.

“Ma’am, the contents of the LAs are confidential but you are the one who brought that up,” Garcia-Marquez told Ferrer.

Prosecution counsel Erwin Matib then asked that the record reflect that the defense itself had displayed the documents, despite previously opposing the presentation of confidential documents during the prosecution’s turn.

Matib said he found it ironic that the defense was showing documents it had argued should remain confidential.

“Stranger things have happened, Atty. Matib,” Presiding Officer Francis Escudero said.

Ferrer responded that the respondent had consented to the disclosure, adding that the defense could decide for itself why it was presenting the documents.

Ferrer subsequently presented another LOA, this time addressed to Duterte and also dated April 29, 2026, covering the examination of all internal revenue taxes for the same period.

The document included a checklist of requirements for presenting documents and records.

Garcia-Marquez said she could not disclose whether notices had been issued to the taxpayer, citing a Revenue Memorandum Circular.

“I cannot disclose this information, Your Honor,” she said.

The BIR official clarified that the agency could confirm the issuance of LOAs but could not disclose the status or results of the investigation.