Philippine impeachment prosecutors drop the bribery charge against Vice President Sara Duterte during her ongoing impeachment trial. Prosecutors say they have already presented supporting evidence and witnesses, and they decide not to pursue the bribery allegation further.
Outlets report the decision is aimed at expediting the proceedings. Philstar says the prosecution panel will no longer present its bribery case to help move the trial along. Courthouse News similarly notes that prosecutors already put forward evidence and witnesses tied to other allegations in the case. Bloomberg adds that the timing could affect political calculations connected to the 2028 election, as the impeachment outcome may have broader implications.
The bribery charge is therefore removed from the prosecution’s slate, while the impeachment trial continues on other counts already under consideration. The reports do not indicate that the prosecution drops the entire impeachment case, only that it withdraws the bribery component.
