PROSECUTION DROPS 3 IMPEACHMENT ARTICLES, RETAINS UNEXPLAINED WEALTH CHARGE VS VP SARA

House lead prosecutor Batangas 2nd district Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro told the Senate impeachment court that the prosecution would drop Article I on confidential funds, Article III on bribery and Article IV on grave threats, leaving only Article II on unexplained wealth.

“Today, the prosecution respectfully manifests that it will no longer pursue three of them. It will stand on one, and that is Article II on unexplained wealth,” Luistro said.

“The prosecution believes it has presented sufficient evidence for Article II to stand on its own. All in po tayo dito,” she added.

Luistro said the evidence was strong enough to justify Duterte’s removal from office.

“We believe that evidence is substantial and compelling, and warrants the respondent’s removal from office for culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust,” she said.

Article II covers allegations of unexplained wealth, violations involving Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, and prohibited business interests.

To support these allegations, the prosecution presented witnesses from the Anti-Money Laundering Council, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Securities and Exchange Commission, Land Registration Authority, Office of the Ombudsman, banks and insurance companies, as well as a forensic accounting expert.

The witnesses presented financial records, tax documents, property records and other evidence involving Duterte, her husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio, and companies linked to them.

Forensic accounting expert Alexander Cabrera testified that his conservative analysis of financial records showed about P818 million in allegedly unexplained wealth from 2022 to 2025.

During subsequent questioning, Cabrera said the amount could reach approximately P1.5 billion under a broader assessment that included additional financial discrepancies and assets excluded from his original computation.

He clarified that the P1.5-billion figure was a possible higher estimate, not a revised final finding, and remained subject to deductions for applicable liabilities and taxes.

Luistro said focusing on Article II would shorten the proceedings and reduce the evidence and arguments the impeachment court would have to consider.

She disclosed that about 32 previously listed witnesses would no longer be called to testify.

“By focusing on one article, the matters requiring the impeachment court’s consideration are correspondingly narrowed, with practical benefits for the Senate, the respondent, and even the public,” she said.

Luistro also cited the impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, during which prosecutors withdrew several articles and pursued the remaining charges.

She said the precedent recognized the prosecution’s authority to decide which impeachment articles to pursue.

Senate impeachment court Presiding Officer Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero took note of the manifestation and sought comments from the defense.

The impeachment court has yet to rule on the withdrawal of the three articles.