House Prosecutors Cleared of Complaint, Paving Way for Impeachment Witnesses

THE dismissal of the complaint filed against House of Representatives prosecutors has removed a possible hurdle for witnesses who are expected to testify in the impeachment trial of Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio, Manila Rep. Joel R. Chua said on Wednesday. The dismissal of the complaint filed by Manases “Mans” R. Caprio was expected, calling the case “harassment” against lawmakers in the performance of their duty, Mr. Chua said. “We welcome this decision and this will not be a reason for us to lose focus on our work here in the impeachment,” the lawmaker said in mixed English and Filipino during a press briefing. In a resolution promulgated Sept. 7, the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the complaint filed by Mr. Carpio against members of House prosecution. The dismissal could encourage witnesses who were also named in Mr. Carpio’s complaint to testify before the impeachment court, particularly as the prosecution prepares to tackle the article on unexplained wealth, Mr. Chua said. All witnesses identified by the prosecution remain part of its current list, he said, particularly those considered vital to establishing the allegations involving unexplained wealth. He added, however, that the panel may still reduce the number of witnesses as it did in previous articles. On the possibility of calling Ms. Duterte herself to testify, Mr. Chua said the prosecution had reserved the option in its pre-trial brief. — Pexcel John Bacon