MANILA — In an unexpected tactical pivot during the Senate impeachment trial on Tuesday, October 13, the House prosecution panel announced it is dropping three out of four impeachment articles against Vice President Sara Duterte, opting instead to pursue her removal solely on the charge of unexplained wealth.
Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro formally notified the Senate impeachment court that prosecutors will no longer pursue Article I regarding confidential funds, Article III on bribery, and Article IV on grave threats.
Addressing the senator-judges on Tuesday, October 13, Luistro explained that the team believes the evidence already laid out is robust enough to secure a conviction on its own.
“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 court.
“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,” she added.
The high-stakes trial, which commenced on July 6, has spanned 38 hearing dates. The shift comes just as Duterte’s defense team was preparing to counter proof presented across multiple counts.
Article II specifically targets allegations of unexplained wealth, discrepancies in Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs), and prohibited business interests.
Senator and presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero has yet to issue a ruling on the manifestation. Beyond removal from office, a guilty verdict would permanently bar Duterte from holding public office, a penalty carrying heavy weight as she previously announced her planned presidential run for 2028.
Drawing parallels to the 2011 impeachment trial of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona—where specific articles were similarly dropped to streamline proceedings—Luistro noted that focusing on a single charge represents the most judicious path forward.
“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.