Sara Duterte impeachment: Prosecution to drop bribery charge – Chua

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Rep. Joel Chua said on Sunday that the prosecution panel would no longer pursue the bribery charge against Vice President Sara Duterte, one of the articles of impeachment filed against her.

In an interview with DZMM Teleradyo, Chua, one of the House prosecutors, was asked to confirm whether the bribery case would no longer be discussed during the impeachment trial.

READ: Sara Duterte trial: Bribery charge may be dropped over 2027 budget talks

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“Yes, it’s confirmed,” he said.

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Asked whether the decision to drop the alleged bribery case was due to its weakness, Chua answered in the negative.

“We believe that the evidence presented is already sufficient,” he said.

Last September, House prosecutors said they were weighing whether to pursue Article III of the impeachment complaint, which accuses Duterte of bribing Department of Education officials to induce them to violate or circumvent procurement and other related laws during her tenure as education secretary.

READ: Chua: Bribery case vs Sara Duterte remains strong

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On Sunday, prosecution panel spokesperson Benjamin Tolosa Jr. said prosecutors were targeting mid-October to finish presenting all evidence against Duterte, as the Senate is expected to prioritize deliberations on the 2027 national budget.

In a Viber message to the INQUIRER on Sunday, Chua said they “will make a manifestation tomorrow” regarding the dropping of the bribery charge. /mcm