Prosec to formalize position on bribery rap in impeach trial – Luistro

MANILA, Philippines – Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro on Sunday said the prosecution team will formally state its position before the Senate impeachment court following the prosecution panel’s reported plan to drop an impeachment charge against Vice President Sara Duterte. 

Manila Rep. Joel Chua bared early Sunday that prosecutors will no longer present the bribery charge hinged on the testimony of former Department of Education (DepEd) officials who said they received cash envelopes through Duterte’s subordinate. 

“Our responsibility remains clear: to follow the evidence and bring a focused, well-supported case to its conclusion,” Luistro said in a statement.

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“That responsibility guides every decision we make.”

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In September, prosecutors said they were studying whether to pursue the allegation that the vice president bribed officials to persuade DepEd officials to bypass procurement rules in her stint as education secretary.

READ: Luistro to formalize dropping of bribery rap in VP impeach trial – Chua

Luistro said the prosecution is committed to finish presenting its case “without unnecessary delay,” adding that prosecutors intend to avoid needlessly prolonging the trial 

“We are confident in the evidence we have laid out and continue to present before the Senate impeachment court,” she said.

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The prosecution team had already presented two impeachment articles: that Duterte allegedly threatened President Ferdinand R.Marcos, Jr., the First Lady and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and that she misused P612.5 million in confidential funds.

“The evidence on confidential funds and grave threats is already before our court. Our presentation on unexplained wealth is ongoing, and we will see it through with the rigor and resolve that this case demands,” Luistro said.

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She said the public has the right to see with clarity the allegations against Duterte, assuring that prosecutors remain steadfast in delivering that by presenting evidence of alleged wrongdoing against the vice president.

“It is our duty to present the evidence and complete our case, and we will fulfill that responsibility to the very end,” Luistro said in Filipino. /gsg