The House prosecution panel will instead file a manifestation explaining its position after deciding not to submit a formal reply to Vice President Sara Duterte’s answer to the articles of impeachment before the Senate impeachment court.

House lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro said the panel believes a reply is unnecessary, arguing that Duterte’s submission did not dispute any of the factual allegations outlined in the impeachment complaint.

“Our position is not to file a reply because we believe that they did not dispute any allegation of facts in the Articles of Impeachment,” Luistro said.

“Nevertheless, we will be filing a manifestation, hopefully today or tomorrow, to explain our position why we opted not to file a reply,” she added.

Vice President Duterte submitted her answer to the articles of impeachment on June 1.

Earlier, House prosecutor and Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon also said Duterte’s answer failed to directly address the allegations raised against her in the impeachment case.

He added that the document largely repeated arguments she had previously presented before the House Committee on Justice during the impeachment proceedings.

The House prosecution panel is expected to formally submit its manifestation to clarify its stance as the impeachment process moves forward in the Senate.