House prosecutors abandon witnesses, seek to question VP Duterte directly

MANILA — House prosecutors shifted strategy in the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, announcing they would drop their remaining 15 witnesses while seeking to compel her direct testimony in the trial.

The prosecution's move centers on allegations involving the misuse of P612.5 million in confidential and intelligence funds. Private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan confirmed the decision to abandon the witness list in favor of calling Duterte to the stand, according to court proceedings.

Duterte's defense team immediately objected to the prosecution's intended course of action, signaling potential legal challenges ahead. The decision to pivot toward direct examination of the Vice President represents a significant development in the impeachment case, which has drawn heightened public and political attention.

The trial continues as both sides navigate procedural questions and strategic positioning in what has become one of the most contentious constitutional proceedings in recent Philippine history. The outcome of the prosecution's request to call Duterte as a witness could determine the trajectory of the remaining trial proceedings.