Malacañang affirms it will not question the House prosecution panel's decision to withdraw three of four impeachment articles against Vice President Sara Duterte, emphasizing trust in the prosecution's legal strategy.
Malacañang has expressed its support for the legal strategy employed by the House prosecution panel in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, notably their decision to withdraw three of the four Articles of Impeachment. Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro stated on Wednesday that while the government remains committed to truth, transparency, and accountability, it respects the prosecution’s choice in weighing their legal options. Castro explained that the prosecutors are best positioned to recognize which evidence is strongest, thus deciding to pursue only Article II—alleging failure to fully declare assets and divest from business interests—while dropping Articles I, III, and IV related to misuse of confidential funds, bribery, and grave threats. The Senate impeachment court has accepted this move allowing the prosecution to focus their case. Castro pointed out that Vice President Duterte has various avenues to respond to the existing allegations and suggested that earlier clarification, particularly regarding confidential funds, might have prevented the trial from progressing to this stage. This development marks a significant phase in the ongoing impeachment proceedings against the Vice President, illustrating the strategic decisions made by legal counsel on both sides as the case advances.
Sources referenced:
- https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/1005885/malaca-ang-on-dropping-articles-in-sara-duterte-impeachment-trial-that-s-prosecution-s-strategy/story/