The prosecution’s decision to withdraw three of the four articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte is final, House prosecution spokesperson and Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon said Friday.
In an interview on DZRH's Dos Por Dos, Ridon said the prosecution would focus solely on the remaining article concerning allegations of unexplained wealth, with the three other charges no longer part of its case.
“Final na ‘yun. Pass your papers na ‘yun, finish or not finish na ‘yun,” Ridon said.
“Sa bahagi po namin, isa nalang po talaga ang isinusulong na articles of impeachment unexplained wealth lang po ito. Wala na po talaga yung tatlong mga charge na hiningi po namin na ma-withdraw,” he added.
According to Ridon, the prosecution decided to concentrate on the unexplained wealth allegations after financial expert and analyst Atty. Alexander Cabrera testified that Duterte allegedly had undeclared assets worth between P817 million and P1.5 billion.
“Noong narining namin ‘yung more than P800 million ₱1.5 bilyon na unexplained wealth po ng Pangalawang Pangulo, doon po kami nag-usap-usap ng mga prosecutors na dito tayo tumutok. Dito talaga natin tingin ko makukumbinsi ang atin pong mga senator-judges na makapagpasya sa bagay na ito,” Ridon said.
Cabrera testified during Duterte’s impeachment trial that the Vice President allegedly had P817 million in undeclared assets and unexplained wealth during her first four years in office, beginning in 2022.
Ridon maintained that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to proceed with the impeachment trial focused on the remaining allegation.
He also pushed back against criticism over the withdrawal of the three articles, saying the defense had previously rejected a proposal to alternate the presentation of evidence for each article, a point also noted by Presiding Officer Francis "Chiz" Escudero.
“Hindi nila tinanggap 'yun eh... Hindi sila pwedeng mag-iyak-iyak dito. Na kawawa naman 'yung kliyente namin hindi napagbigyan,” he stressed.
“Mahirap po na magngiyaw-ngiyaw na parang pinagkaitan sila ng lollipop sa bagay na 'yan,” the lawmaker added.
The prosecution will wait for the evidence to be presented by Duterte’s defense team as the trial proceeds, Ridon said.
He also said the prosecution team plans to hold forums in communities and schools to explain the impeachment process and inform the public about the allegations of unexplained wealth against Duterte.
