VP Trial May Still Convict Even If Bribery Charge Dropped, Says Prosecutor

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte may still be convicted in her impeachment case even if the bribery charge against her were to be dropped, as each article of impeachment stands on its own and only one needs to be proven for the vice president to be convicted and penalized with removal from her post and perpetual disqualification from public office. She need not be found guilty in all of the impeachment articles, according to prosecution counsel Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. Tolosa made that statement during the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City, stressing that each of the four articles of impeachment stands on its own — and only one article needs to be proven for the vice president to be convicted and penalized with removal from her post and perpetual disqualification from public office. She need not be found guilty in all of the impeachment articles, Tolosa added. READ: Bribery rap vs VP Sara Duterte may be dropped to speed up trial As part of efforts to shorten the trial, the prosecution has been considering whether to drop the third impeachment article, which accuses Duterte of bribery involving alleged monetary gifts or payments to Department of Education officials during her tenure as education secretary until 2024. The prosecution has not made a final decision, as it was still studying the possibility, along with the feasibility of reducing the number of witnesses. Article I accuses Duterte of the alleged misuse, misappropriation, and irregular liquidation of P612.5 million in confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President and Department of Education. Article II involves allegations of unexplained wealth, incomplete disclosure of assets, and continued business interests. Article IV concerns Duterte’s alleged grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez. READ: 5 witnesses left in VP secret funds scrutiny – prosec The prosecution has already rested its presentation on the fourth article and is currently completing its evidence on the first article, with prosecutors earlier aiming to wrap up their presentation on Sept. 9. According to a prosecution statement, the withdrawal of an impeachment article, if it should be decided, would not be unprecedented. In the 2012 impeachment trial of the late Chief Justice Renato Corona, five of the eight articles originally transmitted to the Senate were withdrawn. The Senate convicted Corona on one article involving his statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth, demonstrating that an impeachment judgment does not require conviction on every charge brought before the tribunal. /atm