Prosecution dropping bribery charge in Duterte impeachment trial

MANILA, October 5 ------ A member of the prosecution panel in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte confirmed they are dropping the bribery accusation against her, citing “sufficient” evidence on the other three articles and an intention to shorten the proceedings. “Sa tingin namin, medyo tatlo na yung napapatunayan namin at tingin naman namin enough na para at least hindi na tayo abutin next year,” House prosecutor Joel Chua of Manila told DZMM Teleradyo.

Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, panel spokesperson, confirmed the prosecutors' decision. "We are confident the three articles are enough to render justice to the Filipino people," he said. The third article of impeachment accuses Duterte of culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust for allegedly bribing officials of the Department of Education during her stint as secretary from 2022 to 2024.

Chua disputed that the prosecution is dropping the article due to weak evidence. The prosecution last month said it may drop the bribery article should the evidence on other articles be enough, but later said it will still present evidence related to the accusation.

In a statement on Sunday night, lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro said the prosecution panel "will state its position formally before the Senate impeachment court." "Our responsibility remains clear: to follow the evidence and bring a focused, well-supported case to its conclusion," she added.

FORMAL MOTION

Adiong said they would have wanted to formalize the decision through a manifestation by Luistro last Friday but the trial was cancelled. He said they will make the manifestation on Monday. "In every courtroom presentation, the task really is to present a solid case, and the prosecution panel has already based on our observation, the prosecution panel has already established the case," he also said.

Dropping the article on bribery will significantly shorten the trial, which is supposed to go on break from October 15. He added schedule should not be prejudicial to the defense, which should also be given ample time to present their witnesses. Adiong meanwhile said they are no longer hoping Duterte will appear at trial. "I think the intention has been established, na ayaw niyang pumunta," he said.

ABS-CBN News has reached out to the defense team of VP Duterte for comment. The Palace said it respects the discretion of the House prosecutors but pointed out that including bribery in the articles of impeachment implies there is evidence to support the allegation. "Kung aatras sila sa akusasyong bribery laban sa bise presidente ay hindi ba nila na short change o nadedehado ang mga Filipino na nais sanang malaman ang buong katotohanan rito?" Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.

WRAPPING UP

Manila 3rd District Rep. Chua said the prosecution had intended to finish its presentation next week but ran into delays. The court postponed the trial until Monday next week to give the defense time to study records from the Anti-Money Laundering Council. Lead defense counsel Sheila Sison has said Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura’s direct and cross-examination would require scrutiny of 23 to 24 boxes of documents.

Without the bribery article, the prosecution would finish its case after presenting Buenaventura and officials from banks, insurance companies and the Bureau of Internal Revenue. The Senate impeachment court is currently tackling the second article of impeachment, which accuses Duterte of amassing unexplained wealth, committing Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth violations, and failing to divest from business interests.

Chua said the prosecution hopes for the trial to end within the year, although the pace still depends on the defense, whose presentation will come after the prosecution’s. Impeachment court spokesperson Reginald Tongol earlier said the court may come up with a verdict by December 16.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com