MANILA – Malacañang on Thursday, October 15, said the camp of Vice President Sara Duterte should have objected to the prosecution’s withdrawal of three articles of impeachment and insisted on presenting evidence to address the allegations.
During a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro questioned why the defense did not formally oppose the withdrawal of Articles 1, 3, and 4 during the Senate impeachment proceedings.
“Wala kasing objection,” Castro said, referring to the defense’s response to the prosecution’s move.
The Palace official maintained that Duterte’s legal team could have challenged the withdrawal and asserted its position on presenting evidence concerning the allegations previously raised against the Vice President.
On October 13, House prosecutors withdrew three of the four impeachment articles against Duterte, leaving Article 2, which concerns allegations of unexplained wealth, as the remaining charge for trial.
The Senate impeachment court subsequently ruled that Articles 1 and 4, for which evidence had already been presented, could no longer be revived during Duterte’s present term. Article 3, which was withdrawn before the prosecution presented its case, was also excluded from the court’s eventual verdict.
The defense earlier raised concerns that withdrawing the articles after the presentation of allegations and evidence could deprive Duterte of a meaningful opportunity to respond and clear her name.
Meanwhile, Castro also provided updates on preparations for the ASEAN Summit scheduled to take place in Manila in November.
She said leaders of ASEAN member states and dialogue partners participating in the ASEAN Plus Three and East Asia Summit, along with the United Nations Secretary-General, are expected to attend the regional gathering.
Castro also noted that China has traditionally been represented at ASEAN summits by its premier.
The upcoming summit is expected to bring together regional leaders and international partners for discussions on cooperation and issues affecting Southeast Asia and its dialogue partners.
