MANILA — The Filipino tendency to easily forget crucial details heavily influenced the House prosecution panel’s strategic decision to drop three of the four articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte, according to Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua.
In a recent television interview, Chua explained that streamlining the trial to focus solely on Article II—which centers on unexplained wealth—was designed to prevent a protracted legal battle that could dilute public interest and awareness before senator-judges hand down a verdict.
The prosecution anticipated that Duterte’s defense team would attempt to drag out the proceedings. Chua warned that the trial could be prolonged “para humaba ito hanggang abutin sa susunod na taon (so that it would drag on until it reaches next year).”
“By that time, hindi na maaalala rin ng mga kababayan natin yung mga ipresenta namin mga testigo at ebedensya,” Chua, a member of the House prosecution panel, added.
Last October 13, the prosecution formally withdrew Articles I, III, and IV, which covered allegations of confidential funds misuse, bribery, and grave threats or inciting to sedition, respectively. With only the unexplained wealth charge remaining, the defense is scheduled to begin presenting its counter-evidence on November 9.
Furthermore, Chua urged the senator-judges to take into account the findings from the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) fact-finding inquiry regarding potential discrepancies in Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).
”Tingin ko dapat ma-consider din yan ng ating senator-judges,” he stated.