The House of Representatives prosecution panel is evaluating the possibility of dropping Article III—the bribery charge—from the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte to streamline its strategy and focus on its strongest allegations.
Speaking in an interview with GMA News, Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua explained that the team is considering skipping the bribery article to directly transition into presenting evidence on the Vice President’s alleged unexplained wealth after next week.
“We are considering the dropping of one article, yes. So for now, pinag-aaralan namin kung we will proceed na after next week sa unexplained (wealth). Although wala pa talagang final (decision). Pero isa ‘yan sa mga kino-consider namin,” Chua stated.
Chua expressed strong confidence in the initial two impeachment articles already filed, emphasizing that dropping the third charge would not weaken the overall case against Duterte.
“Well unang-una, ‘yung first two articles na sinampa namin ay matibay na. Naniniwala kami na matibay na,” he noted.
“Pero hindi naman pupuwedeng i-drop ‘yung unexplained (wealth) dahil lahat inaabangan na ito, ‘di ba?” Chua added.
The prosecution team expects to conclude its presentation on the confidential funds issue within the coming week, with one or two additional witnesses currently under consideration.
The panel aims to finish presenting all its evidence by mid-October, projecting that the defense will wrap up its arguments by November.
This timeline would allow the Senate impeachment court to deliver a verdict prior to the year’s end.
“So… and we do not want it protracted, the hearing. Siyempre, ayaw naman namin na abutin tayo until next year. May mga target din kami. So hopefully by end of November, tapos na pati Defense. So kung matatapos kami (sa Prosecution) ng first week ng October, or mid ng October, makakapagsimula na ang Defense. So they have until November,” Chua explained.