Prosecutors drop three impeachment charges against Philippine VP Duterte
Prosecutors said the narrower case would speed proceedings after presenting evidence since July, leaving senators to rule on only the unexplained-wealth charge.
- On Tuesday, the Philippine Senate approved the prosecution's request to withdraw three impeachment charges against Vice President Sara Duterte, narrowing the trial to focus solely on unexplained wealth allegations.
- Prosecutors dropped allegations of confidential fund misuse, bribery, and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos to expedite proceedings, arguing that focusing on one article benefits the Senate and the public.
- Defense lawyer Sheila Sison called the move "completely unfair," arguing her team could not present its case on dropped allegations, while Chief Prosecutor Gerville Luistro defended the strategy as "substantial and compelling."
- Only 14 votes are required for conviction in the 24-seat Senate after the court ruled that only members "capable of participating" count toward the constitutionally required two-thirds majority.
- Despite the ongoing impeachment trial, Duterte remains in the lead in polling for the 2028 presidential election, though a conviction on the remaining unexplained wealth charge could disqualify her from holding future public office.
53 Articles
53 Articles
'Duterte impeachment articles dropped as defense seeks to stretch trial'
MANILA, Philippines — Two members of the prosecution panel in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial admitted Wednesday that they dropped three articles of impeachment because they believed the defense would only seek to delay the proceedings. In a press briefing, Manila Rep. Joel Chua and Atty. Benjamin Tolosa Jr. said they decided to drop three of the four articles of impeachment because they believed the defense had no evidence or wi…
Dropped charges include alleged misuse of confidential funds, alleged assassination plot
The Court agreed to drop the charges of embezzlement and death threats, but maintains the accusations of illicit enrichment.
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