Prosecution likely to drop bribery charges in VP Sara Duterte impeachment —Adiong

The prosecution team in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is likely to drop the bribery charges against her, House prosecution spokesperson and Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong said Sunday.

"Mukhang ang direction is hindi na siya ita-tackle. Maybe that's the direction pero hindi pa natin pina-finalize 'yan kasi ongoing pa rin ang discussion sa prosecution panel kung anong magiging susunod na hakbang pagkatapos ng Article 2," Adiong told Super Radyo dzBB.

(It appears that it will no longer be tackled. That may be the direction, but we have not finalized it yet because discussions are still ongoing among the prosecution panel on what the next steps will be after Article 2.)

When asked whether the decision was because the first three impeachment articles were already strong enough to convict Duterte, Adiong confirmed.

"That's one way of looking at it kasi bakit mo pa papahabain 'yung trial kung para sa amin naman ay napakita namin 'yung mga kinakailangan na ebidensiya," Adiong said.

(That is one way of looking at it because why prolong the trial if, in our view, we have already presented the necessary evidence.)

"Kasi unang-una, hindi lang role ng prosecution... hindi lang to make sure may trial o may pagkakataong magpresenta ng ebidensiya. Ultimately, ang sini-seek natin dito is justice, justice para sa taongbayan," he added.

(Because, first and foremost, the role of the prosecution is not merely to ensure that there is a trial or an opportunity to present evidence. Ultimately, what we are seeking here is justice for the Filipinos.)

The Senate Impeachment Court is currently tackling Article 2 of the Articles of Impeachment on unexplained wealth of Duterte.

Meanwhile, Article 3 accuses the Vice President of bribing officials of the Department of Education during her stint as DepEd secretary from 2022 to 2024. —KG, GMA News