The Palace says withdrawing a bribery allegation in Vice President Sara Duterte’s ongoing impeachment trial could “shortchange” Filipinos by limiting what the public learns about the case. In a statement relayed to reporters, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro questions what prompts the prosecution panel to drop the charge, arguing it may deprive people of the “whole truth.”
Both outlets report that the Palace does not oppose the prosecution panel’s authority to decide, but it raises concerns about the timing and rationale for dropping the allegation. The Philippine Star frames the issue as whether the decision would disadvantage the public, while Inquirer.net emphasizes the same point—possible loss of information and transparency if the bribery component is removed from the trial.
No other outlets’ perspectives are included in the provided materials, so the reports focus on the Palace’s reaction to the prospective decision by the impeachment prosecution panel to drop the bribery charge.
