THE House prosecution on Tuesday announced it would drop three of the four impeachment charges against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte and pursue her removal from office solely on the charge of unexplained wealth.
House lead prosecutor Atty. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro of Batangas informed the Senate impeachment court that the prosecution would no longer pursue Article I on confidential funds, Article III on bribery and Article IV on threats.
“Today, the prosecution respectfully manifests that it will no longer pursue three of them. It will stand on one, and that is Article II on unexplained wealth,” Luistro told the senator-judges.
She said the prosecution believes the evidence already presented on Article II is sufficient to warrant Duterte’s conviction and removal from office.
“We believe that evidence is substantial and compelling, and warrants the respondent’s removal from office for culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust,” Luistro said.
Article II covers allegations of unexplained wealth, violations involving Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), and prohibited business interests.
“We believe we have provided sufficient evidence on all these allegations,” Luistro said.
The prosecution’s decision follows weeks of testimony from government officials, bank and insurance representatives, and a forensic accounting expert concerning Duterte’s financial records, assets and business interests.
Luistro said narrowing the case to Article II would also reduce the matters requiring consideration by the impeachment court, including documentary evidence and objections from the defense.
“In the prosecution’s assessment, concentrating on this article is the most judicious course, consistent with the evidence and our duty to the nation,” she said.
She cited the impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, during which the prosecution also withdrew certain articles and proceeded with the remaining charges.
Luistro said that precedent recognized the prosecution’s authority to determine which impeachment articles to pursue.
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