The Senate impeachment court is set to tackle the House prosecution panel’s request to drop the bribery charge against Vice President Sara Duterte as her impeachment trial resumes on Tuesday, October 13.
The trial is scheduled to resume at 1 p.m., with the court expected to hear the final manifestations of the prosecution and other parties regarding the request to withdraw Article III of the Articles of Impeachment.
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who presides over the impeachment court, confirmed on Monday that the court had received the prosecution’s October 6 manifestation and was taking the matter under advisement.
Escudero said the court would also address administrative matters, including whether the prosecution would proceed with its plan to drop Article III and formally rest its case.
The House prosecution panel has presented evidence for three of the four articles of impeachment originally filed against Duterte.
These include Article IV, which concerns alleged grave threats against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez; Article I, which involves the alleged misuse of confidential funds; and Article II, which concerns allegations of unexplained wealth.
The prosecution completed its presentation of evidence for Article II on Monday, with financial forensic analyst Atty. Alexander Cabrera serving as its final witness.
If the prosecution formally rests its case on Tuesday, the impeachment court is expected to set a period for the panel to submit its formal offer of evidence, after which the defense may respond.
