The House prosecution panel plans to move forward with presenting evidence on bribery charges against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte immediately after concluding its case regarding her alleged misuse of confidential funds.
House prosecutor and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon clarified the sequence following suggestions that the panel should skip ahead to the article regarding Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth. The potential shift in order was raised after prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan noted how Duterte’s personal foreign travel could be relevant to the unexplained wealth charge.
Ridon stated that the bribery article remains next on the agenda, as the prosecution panel has not formally decided to alter the sequence of its presentation for the four Articles of Impeachment.
“Wala pa naman po pagpapasya yung panel kung magtutuloy na po sa unexplained wealth,” Ridon said.
The four impeachment articles against the Vice President involve her alleged threats to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assassinated, the misuse of confidential funds within the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd), the alleged bribery of DepEd officials, and unexplained wealth.
While the prosecution has concluded its evidence presentation for the death threat charge, it is still wrapping up testimony for the confidential funds article. Prosecutors intend to fully complete this section before making any final determinations on the sequence of the remaining charges.
“I think tapusin muna namin ‘yung confidential funds misuse bago namin pagpasyahan ‘yung susunod na order or sequencing nitong paglalatag po ebidensya,” Ridon said. “But as far as the panel is concerned, tingin ko tuloy pa rin towards bribery yung presentasyon ng ebidensya namin.”
To finish the confidential funds portion, the prosecution is preparing additional witnesses to cover key aspects of the case.
“Inaasahan natin sa susunod ring linggo maisalang yung iba pang mga witnesses katulad ni Mr. Edward Fajarda, iyung iba pang mga relevant OVP personnel katulad ni (Lemuel) Ortonio at maisalang na rin yung NBI, PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority) at iba pang mga very relevant witnesses dito sa confidential funds sa misuse article,” the lawmaker said.
The panel has been evaluating its witness lineup after each presentation to ensure further testimonies add substantial value. Ridon emphasized that finishing the current article as quickly as possible will allow the prosecution to address the remaining unheard charges.
“Para sa pinakamaagang panahon ay makapagtungo na tayo doon sa iba pang mga nalalabi ng mga Articles of Impeachment katulad ng bribery at unexplained wealth,” he said.