MANILA – House Lead Prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro on Tuesday, October 13, defended the prosecution panel’s decision to withdraw three articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte, insisting that the move was not intended to disregard the resources already spent by the Senate impeachment court.
In his counter-manifestation during the impeachment proceedings, Luistro emphasized that the prosecution carefully evaluated its decision before announcing that it would no longer pursue three of the articles.
“It is never the intention of the prosecution to disregard the resources which were spent already by the impeachment court,” Luistro said.
He maintained that the decision was reached after careful consideration of the interests of the impeachment court, the public, and Duterte as the respondent.
The prosecution earlier announced that it would no longer pursue three articles of impeachment, including those involving alleged grave threats and confidential fund irregularities.
The withdrawal leaves Article II, which concerns Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth, as the sole remaining article the prosecution intends to pursue in its formal offer of evidence.
The decision prompted concerns from the defense over the implications of dropping allegations after evidence and testimony had already been presented during the proceedings.
Luistro, however, maintained that the prosecution’s move was a deliberate decision intended to streamline the case while considering the interests of all parties involved.
The impeachment trial continues as the Senate court addresses the implications of the prosecution’s withdrawal and the defense’s opportunity to respond to the evidence presented.
