Politics · Philippines Bureau
Prosecution drops three witnesses in Duterte impeachment trial
The prosecution team in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment case has decided against calling three key witnesses, asserting it has already built a sufficient case regarding allegations of confidential fund misuse.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — The prosecution panel handling Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial announced Friday it would not call three witnesses originally expected to provide crucial testimony on the alleged misuse of confidential and intelligence funds.
Prosecution spokesperson and advisor Robert Ace Barbers told reporters in an online briefing that the legal team has established a strong case without the additional witnesses. The decision marks a significant development in the high-profile trial, which centers on questions about how the Vice President's office spent its allocated funds.
The identities of the three witnesses — Lachica, Nolasco, and Madriaga — were not immediately disclosed with additional details about their expected testimony. Prosecutors indicated their evidence and arguments to date were sufficient to make their case before the Senate impeachment court.
The trial has drawn intense public attention given Duterte's position as the country's second-highest official. The prosecution's decision to streamline its witness list could potentially accelerate proceedings in the coming weeks.