Politics · Philippines Bureau
VP Duterte conviction possible without bribery charge, says prosecutor
Prosecution counsel Benjamin Tolosa Jr. says Vice President Sara Duterte could still face conviction in her impeachment case even if the bribery charge is dropped, with a single article of impeachment sufficient for a guilty verdict.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — The prosecution team in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial maintains that conviction remains possible without the bribery charge, according to counsel Benjamin "Jay" Tolosa Jr.
Tolosa said during the Saturday News Forum that removal from office could be achieved based on a single article of impeachment, suggesting the prosecution does not rely solely on the bribery allegations against the Vice President.
The statement comes as the impeachment case against Duterte continues to unfold in Congress, with questions raised about the viability of various charges brought against her.
Tolosa's remarks indicate the prosecution team has alternative legal grounds for pursuing conviction, even as discussions continue regarding which charges may be sustainable throughout the trial process.
The impeachment case represents one of the most significant political developments in recent months, with the outcome expected to have substantial implications for the administration and the broader political landscape in the Philippines.