Prosecution Drops Remaining Witnesses in VP Duterte's Impeachment Trial

The House prosecution panel announced on Tuesday that it will forego the presentation of the remaining 15 witnesses for Article 1 of the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, which pertains to the alleged misuse of confidential funds. Private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan stated during the 23rd day of the trial that the prosecution has already presented 10 witnesses and stipulated the testimony of two others, totaling 12 witnesses out of an initial plan to present 27. Kapunan explained that the decision to drop the remaining witnesses was made because the case "has become very clear" based on the 4,750 documents presented and identified by the 12 witnesses. "The testimony elicited very clearly a pattern as one would see a chessboard," Kapunan said, emphasizing the clarity of the evidence. The prosecution now seeks to present Duterte herself as a witness in her own trial. Presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero inquired if the prosecution would rest its case on Article 1. Kapunan responded that they would, with the reservation of potentially calling two witnesses at the end: the Vice President herself and possibly an amicus curiae to assist the court in understanding the constitutional intent regarding public officers and accountability. This would occur after all Articles of Impeachment have been presented. "To summarize, there will be no more hearings, trials, on Article 1 on misuse and misappropriations of confidential funds," the private prosecutor confirmed. However, Escudero advised the prosecution not to formally rest on Article 1 until a decision is made on whether additional witnesses will be called. Earlier, the prosecution had indicated they would present Article 2 of the impeachment case, concerning the alleged unexplained wealth of the Vice President, in advance. House lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro stressed that the prosecution is not waiving the presentation of evidence for the bribery charge under Article 3. Information Source: GMA News Philippines