MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte will face trial on just one remaining Article of Impeachment after the Senate impeachment court approved the House prosecution panel's request to withdraw three of the four charges against her on Tuesday, October 13.

Presiding Officer Senator Francis Escudero accepted the prosecution's manifestation, leaving Article II, which involves allegations of unexplained wealth, as the sole basis for the continuation of Duterte's impeachment trial.

The ruling removes Articles I, III, and IV from the proceedings, covering the alleged misuse of confidential funds, bribery, and grave threats, respectively.

Prosecution focuses on unexplained wealth

House lead prosecutor and Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro informed the impeachment court that the prosecution would concentrate its case on Article II, citing the evidence already presented concerning Duterte's financial disclosures and business interests.

The remaining article involves allegations that the Vice President failed to fully disclose assets in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) and did not divest from certain business interests as required under the Constitution.

Luistro expressed confidence that the evidence presented under Article II was sufficient to support the prosecution's call for Duterte's removal from office.

The prosecution also argued that narrowing the case would reduce the number of issues requiring further examination and allow the trial to proceed more efficiently.

Defense objects to withdrawal of charges

Duterte's defense panel opposed the move, arguing that withdrawing charges after evidence and testimonies had already been presented would deprive the Vice President of an opportunity to challenge those allegations during the trial.

Lead defense counsel Atty. Sheila Sison maintained that the prosecution should not be allowed to present accusations and subsequently prevent the defense from formally responding to them.

Sison also questioned the fairness of restricting the defense's evidence to the remaining article, particularly after several witnesses had already testified on the withdrawn allegations.

Despite these objections, the impeachment court allowed the prosecution to withdraw the three articles.

Impeachment court sets conditions for withdrawal

Under the ruling, Articles I and IV were withdrawn with prejudice, preventing them from being pursued again in an impeachment trial against Duterte during her current term.

Article III, which covers bribery allegations, was withdrawn before the prosecution presented evidence on that charge and may be brought again in a future proceeding.

The impeachment court also lifted the sub judice restrictions covering the three withdrawn articles, allowing the parties to publicly discuss those allegations, subject to other applicable court orders.

However, the defense raised concerns that the ruling could expose Duterte to public accusations without allowing her to contest the withdrawn charges through evidence before the impeachment court.

Escudero deferred action on the defense's objection concerning the lifting of the restrictions.

Defense presentation scheduled for November

Following the court's decision, the prosecution was directed to submit its formal offer of evidence for Article II by October 23.

The defense will have 10 days from receipt to file its comments and objections.

Duterte's legal team has also been given time to prepare its evidence, with the defense presentation scheduled to begin on November 9.

The impeachment court will continue hearing the case solely on Article II, while the allegations of unexplained wealth and related financial disclosure issues remain subject to the court's determination.

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