Senate likely to reject Duterte's sweeping evidence objections, prosecutor says

MANILA — Bicol representative Terry Ridon, serving as an impeachment prosecutor, told reporters that the Senate is unlikely to sustain the Vice President's blanket challenges to the evidence presented by the prosecution in connection with the unexplained wealth charge.

Ridon said Duterte's legal team has objected virtually across the board to the prosecution's formal offer of evidence in the case. The wide-ranging objections cover documents and other materials submitted by prosecutors to support their allegations regarding the source of the Vice President's assets.

The prosecutor's assessment suggests the impeachment court may move forward with evaluating the bulk of the prosecution's evidence despite the defense team's resistance. The unexplained wealth case represents one of the primary charges in the impeachment proceedings against Duterte.

The Senate impeachment court has been hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defense as the trial progresses. The court's rulings on evidence admissibility will be crucial in determining what materials the senators can consider in their deliberations on whether to remove the Vice President from office.