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.
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The prosecutors, who announced on Friday the abandonment of the charge of corruption, requested on Tuesday that charges for misappropriation of funds and death threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should also be dismissed. "Indictments Nos. 1, 3 and 4 will no longer be part of the indictment (...) and will not be submitted to the members of the court for a vote or for a decision on conviction or acquittal", declared Senator and Presidi…
Prosecutors drop three impeachment charges against Philippine VP Duterte
The Philippine Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, approved the prosecution's withdrawal of most of the charges against Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, in a trial that could kill her hopes to run for president in 2028.
Duterte Prosecution Seeks to Drop Three Impeachment Articles
House prosecutors in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial moved to withdraw three of four articles and focus on allegations of unexplained wealth, saying narrowing the case would streamline proceedings. The remaining charge has not been resolved, and the allegations do not establish wrongdoing.
South China Morning Post
PressNewsAgencyPhilippines drops 3 impeachment charges against Sara Duterte despite evidence
The Philippine Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, approved the prosecution’s withdrawal of most of the charges against Vice-President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, in a trial that could kill her hopes to run for president in 2028. Prosecutors have been presenting evidence against Duterte since July on charges that she betrayed public trust, amassed unexplained wealth, violated the constitution and committed corruption, bribery and other hig…
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