Politics · Philippines Bureau
Senate court rejects COA documents as evidence in Duterte wealth case
The Senate impeachment court has denied the prosecution's bid to use Commission on Audit records as proof in Vice President Sara Duterte's unexplained wealth allegations. The ruling limits the evidentiary scope available to prosecutors in the high-profile trial.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — The Senate impeachment court has rejected the prosecution's request to admit Commission on Audit (COA) documents as evidence in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment proceeding, according to court records.
Prosecutors had sought to introduce the COA materials to support charges under Article II of the impeachment complaint, which alleges Duterte accumulated unexplained wealth. The prosecution had previously presented similar exhibits in relation to Article I allegations but sought to broaden their evidentiary application.
The court's decision restricts the scope of documentary evidence available to prosecutors in substantiating the wealth accumulation charges against the Vice President. The ruling underscores ongoing procedural disputes in the high-stakes impeachment trial, which has drawn significant public attention.
The trial continues as both the prosecution and defense present their respective cases before the Senate impeachment court. The proceedings mark a significant political development in the Philippines, with implications for the sitting Vice President's tenure in office.