HOUSE prosecutors did not consult Impeachment Court Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero before deciding to withdraw three articles against Vice President Sara Duterte, according to one of the prosecutors involved in the deliberations.
HOUSE prosecutor Joel Chua of
Manila disclosed that the prosecution panel reached the decision internally after weighing the advantages and risks of concentrating the case solely on Article II on alleged unexplained wealth.
“Ay, wala po. Hindi ko po—ano, kami lang po nag-usap-usap diyan, eh,” Chua stressed in a radio interview when asked whether prosecutors consulted Escudero.
Questions over how the withdrawal was reached emerged after the impeachment court was immediately confronted with the prosecution’s request to abandon the confidential funds, bribery and grave threats articles.
Chua said the decision was supported by the entire prosecution team.
“Lahat po kami pumayag po diyan. Nakita po namin yung wisdom,” Chua said.
He explained that the prosecution had been evaluating its options as evidence was presented under the different articles rather than treating its original trial plan as fixed.
“Lahat po ‘yan kasi, sa totoo lang, lahat ‘yan talaga in-assess namin. Matagal po naming pinag-usapan yan,” Chua explained.
The final decision came only after the prosecution completed the testimony of Financial Forensic Analyst Alexander Cabrera, its last witness under Article II.
Chua disclosed that prosecutors were still debating the advantages and disadvantages of the move on the eve of the announcement.
“Actually, yung final po niyan, yung final po niyan na pagdesisyon niyan, alam po ninyo kung kailan. Aminin ko po sa inyo, totoo. Nung araw din na yun, nung umaga,” Chua said.
Asked to clarify whether he meant the morning the withdrawal was announced, Chua confirmed that the final call came only hours before it was brought before the impeachment court.
“Kahapon ng umaga lang. Pero nung gabi po, talagang nagtatalo pa lahat ng mga pros and cons. Pinag-aralan namin lahat yung mga legal,” Chua disclosed.
The impeachment case will now proceed solely on Article II when the defense begins presenting its evidence on the remaining charge.
metrosundaily
