VP Sara Duterte's bribery rap kept, wealth case prioritized

MANILA, Philippines — The prosecution team in the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte has decided to prioritize the presentation of evidence for unexplained wealth allegations, while maintaining the bribery case against her. This strategic shift is expected to influence the proceedings. Lead public prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro informed the Senate Impeachment Court of the prosecution team’s decision on Monday. “We understand that in the order of presentation of Article II, unexplained wealth, was placed at the last presentation by the prosecution. Nevertheless, Your Honor, consistent with the compliance and manifestation filed by the prosecution on June 22, 2026, the prosecution exercises its prerogative to advance the presentation of evidence for unexplained wealth,” she told the court. “This means, however, that we’re not waiving the presentation of evidence for bribery. The only thing that is being changed, your honor, is the order of presentation. We will be proceeding to unexplained wealth first, after which, we will end with the presentation of evidence for bribery, your honor,” she added. Presiding Officer Francis Escudero had to clarify the position of the prosecution team, noting an earlier statement by public prosecutor and Manila Rep. Joel Chua that they might drop the bribery allegation against Duterte to speed up the proceedings. READ: House prosecution panel mulls dropping bribery case vs Sara Duterte In response, Luistro repeated that they decided to maintain both Articles II and III, pertaining to unexplained wealth and bribery allegations, respectively, against the vice president. “Only that unexplained wealth will be advanced, and it will be followed, and we’ll end on bribery,” she added. Defense lead counsel Sheila Sison noted Luistro’s manifestation, saying that “it’s the prerogative of the prosecution to do whatever it pleases with respect to the order of its presentation.” The prosecution team has so far completed its presentation of evidence for Article IV, pertaining to Duterte’s alleged assassination threats against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. It is now also about to conclude the presentation of evidence for Article I, or Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds released to the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, which she previously headed. /mcm