The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is expected to begin on Monday, July 6, with the Senate affirming its readiness for the proceedings.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian expressed confidence that the Senate is fully prepared for the impeachment trial set for Monday. However, this comes amid the unresolved issue surrounding a sealed and unmarked box from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) containing the vice president's tax records.

According to Senator Gatchalian, the decision on what to do with the box now rests with the impeachment court.

"Ano mangyayari sa BIR box? Yung BIR box will be left to the impeachment court to decide."

(What will happen to the BIR box? The BIR box will be left to the impeachment court to decide.)

"So not necessarily first order of business on Monday? Not necessarily." SP Sherwin Gatchalian added.

The House prosecution panel had earlier submitted a manifestation during the pre-trial conference requesting that the BIR box be opened so that the documents inside could be marked. When the impeachment court did not act on this request, the prosecution again asked that the box at least be marked as evidence.

However, by the conclusion of the pre-trial conference, the box remained sealed and unmarked.

On this matter, the Senate leader said they will wait for the historic trial against the vice president to begin before the impeachment court makes a decision.

"Sir, sa Monday yun pagdidesisyon? When the time comes. I'm sure yung prosecution, pag i-reraise, then we will decide on that matter."

(Sir, will the decision be made on Monday? When the time comes. I'm sure if the prosecution raises it, then we will decide on that matter.)

The trial proper is expected to begin at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, July 6.

According to the prosecution panel, they will first present evidence related to the alleged threats made by Vice President Duterte against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

This will be followed by the alleged misuse of confidential funds, then the alleged bribery and corruption within the Department of Education.

Lastly, the prosecution will take up the vice president's alleged unexplained wealth.

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