Politics · Philippines Bureau
Prosecution rests financial analyst testimony in Duterte impeachment trial
Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial entered a new phase Friday as prosecutors presented their final witness on Article II charges. The prosecution has also moved to drop Article III allegations entirely.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — The prosecution panel in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial concluded its examination of a financial analyst on Friday, marking the end of witness testimony for Article II of the charges against her.
Public Prosecutor and Akbayan party-list Representative Chel Diokno announced the development during proceedings, signaling that the prosecution has exhausted its evidence on the second article of impeachment.
In a separate development, Bukidnon Representative Jonathan Keith Flores revealed that the prosecution has decided to drop Article III entirely, effectively narrowing the scope of the charges under consideration.
The decision to conclude witness testimony on Article II and abandon Article III represents a significant turning point in the trial, which has drawn intense scrutiny as the first impeachment proceeding against a sitting vice president in the Philippines. The court is expected to determine next steps regarding the remaining articles and schedule defense presentations accordingly.