Prosecution considers dropping VP Duterte bribery case

The House prosecution panel is looking at dropping the bribery case against Vice President Sara Duterte and instead proceed with the impeachment article on her alleged unexplained wealth.

Batangas Representative and Lead Prosecutor Gerville Luistro said on Thursday the panel was studying whether to bypass Article 3, which alleges that Duterte bribed procurement officials at the Department of Education (DepEd).

Luistro said dropping the bribery charge would ease the burden on the Senate impeachment court and avoid prolonging the trial.

Prosecutors may move directly to Article 2, which centers on allegations of unexplained wealth involving Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio. The impeachment court already has access to financial records.

The proposal comes as the impeachment court adjusts its schedule amid the Senate’s preparations for the 2027 national budget deliberations.

Presiding Officer Francis Escudero announced that the court would temporarily extend its hearing hours in October. Proceedings will run from 10 a.m. until early evening on October 1 and 2, October 5 to 9, and October 12 to 15.

The impeachment court will then suspend hearings from October 16 to Nov. 8 to accommodate intensive budget deliberations.

Proceedings will resume on Nov. 9 and 16, with hearings scheduled from 10 am to 2:30 pm, before the court returns to its regular schedule on Nov. 23.