HOUSE PROSECUTION DROPS 3 IMPEACHMENT ARTICLES VS. SARA DUTERTE, RETAINS UNEXPLAINED WEALTH CHARGE

The House prosecution panel on Tuesday, October 13, announced that it would no longer pursue three of the four articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte, choosing to focus its case on allegations of unexplained wealth.

House lead prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro informed the Senate impeachment court that the prosecution would withdraw its pursuit of Articles I, III, and IV, leaving Article II as the sole focus of its case.

The three articles involve allegations of misuse of confidential funds, bribery, and grave threats. Article II, meanwhile, concerns alleged unexplained wealth, including questions surrounding Duterte’s declared assets, liabilities, and business interests.

Luistro said the prosecution believes it has presented sufficient evidence to support Article II and maintain its case for Duterte’s removal from office. The panel also cited the need to expedite the proceedings.

The prosecution’s remaining case centers on alleged discrepancies involving Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), bank transactions, tax records, and other financial documents.

During the trial, forensic financial analyst Alexander Cabrera testified that his examination identified approximately ₱817.87 million in allegedly unexplained assets and income involving Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio, from 2022 to 2025. The findings remain subject to scrutiny by the defense and evaluation by the impeachment court.

DEFENSE QUESTIONS FAIRNESS OF THE MOVE

The prosecution’s decision drew a response from defense lead counsel Sheila Sison, who said the withdrawal of three articles would not prevent the defense from presenting evidence in response to allegations already raised during the trial.

Sison argued that the prosecution should not be allowed to benefit from accusations already presented before the court and the public while limiting the defense’s opportunity to challenge them. She maintained that the defense would proceed with its planned presentation of evidence.

Senate President Francis Escudero, who presides over the impeachment court, said the prosecution’s manifestation would be treated as a motion for the senator-judges to resolve.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The Senate impeachment court must address the procedural implications of the prosecution’s move. The decision to stop pursuing three articles does not, by itself, amount to a finding that the allegations are true or false.

The remaining proceedings will focus on Article II and the evidence presented by both sides. The senator-judges will ultimately evaluate the evidence and determine whether the constitutional grounds for impeachment have been established.

The prosecution’s decision to drop the bribery article also does not automatically prevent the allegations from being referred to the appropriate authorities for possible separate investigation.

The case remains ongoing, and the allegations against Duterte have yet to be resolved by the impeachment court.