Philippine VP Sara Duterte faces just one impeachment charge after court drops two

Manila, Oct 13 — The Philippine impeachment court on Tuesday dropped two charges against Vice President Sara Duterte, leaving allegations of unexplained wealth as the sole remaining count against her. The court, presided over by Senator Francis Escudero, approved the motion to remove Articles 1, 3, and 4 from the Articles of Impeachment.

Chief prosecutor Gerville Luistro stated that the decision would simplify the court's proceedings and expedite the trial's conclusion. However, defense lawyer Sheila Sison criticized the ruling as "completely unfair," citing the prosecution's earlier presentation of 14 witnesses to present evidence against the vice president. With at least four senators absent from the trial – two in jail, another in hiding, and a fourth on medical furlough abroad – only 14 votes are needed to find Duterte guilty, potentially barring her from running for president in 2028 if found guilty.

The unexpected move by prosecutors comes after they presented weeks of evidence supporting the now-dismissed charges.