Sara Duterte trial: Prosecution mulls dropping bribery case

MANILA, Philippines – The prosecution team in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is considering dropping the article on impeachment alleging her bribery of Department of Education (DepEd) officials. “We do not want a protracted hearing. If we take this up, we might be here until Christmas and New Year,” prosecutor Joel Chua said in a mix of English and Filipino on Wednesday, September 2. “In our view, after articles four (death threats) and one (confidential fund), we have presented evidence that should be heard by the public and by senator-judges. There’s only one more that everyone is anticipating, the case on unexplained wealth,” Chua added. During the House good government committee inquiry in 2024, then-DepEd special disbursing officer Edward Fajarda claimed that the Vice President, when she was education chief, ordered him to give cash to school superintendents through their bank accounts. The prosecution initially requested eight trial dates to present its bribery case, and listed four potential witnesses. They include those who allegedly received or were offered bribe money from Duterte’s office in DepEd, namely former DepEd undersecretary Gloria Jumamil-Mercado, and former bids and awards committee chair Resty Osias. The prosecution has repeatedly expressed willingness in expediting the proceedings, with lead prosecutor Jinky Luistro telling the court on Wednesday that they hope to finish presenting the case on confidential funds by September 9. – Rappler.com