Prosecution defends withdrawal of 3 impeachment articles vs Duterte
Prosecution lawyer Mae Divinagracia listens as Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura takes the witness stand for cross-examination by the defense on the 34th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial at the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay City on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News MANILA — Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro, House lead prosecutor, said strong evidence under Article II, public impatience with proceedings, and consideration for the Senate impeachment court led the prosecution panel to drop three impeachment articles against Vice President Sara Duterte.
She called the withdrawal the “most significant decision” that the prosecution has made so far.
“Ito po ay ginawa matapos ng masusing pag-aaral na kinokonsidera ang interes ng publiko, impeachment court, prosecution, at maging defense,” Luistro added.
(This was done after thorough study that considered the interests of the public, the impeachment court, prosecution and even the defense.)
Lead defense counsel Atty. Shiela Sison called the move “unfair” and warned of a possible mistrial since evidence for two of the articles had already been presented.
She said the defense would no longer have the chance to show the court their evidence to address the allegations.
“She bullies us, and inserts to her manifestations words like ‘persecution’, words like ‘accused’, words like ‘denial of due process’… she is a bully,” private prosecutor Atty. Lorna Kapunan said of Sison in a briefing after the trial.
Luistro argued that withdrawing the three articles would actually benefit the defense and Duterte, as they would only have to address the remaining article of impeachment.
“Hindi natin alam kung bakit sad sila na nag-withdraw ng tatlong complaint ang prosecution,” Kapunan also said.
(We do not know why they are sad that the prosecution withdrew three complaints.)
Kapunan also said Duterte should consult her husband, Manases Carpio, instead of complaining about the prosecution’s latest move.
During the prosecution’s presentation of evidence under Article II, financial forensic analyst Atty. Alex Cabrera testified on alleged undeclared wealth amounting to around P817 million involving Duterte and her husband, based on the financial records presented.
With the lifting of the sub judice restrictions on the withdrawn articles, the prosecution said it is ready for whatever Duterte might do or present publicly.
“Bring it on… We in the prosecution, what is the source of our courage in the prosecution? It’s a clear conscience,” Kapunan said.