Philippine prosecutors drop three of four impeachment charges against Sara Duterte

House prosecutors withdrew three of the four articles of impeachment against Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte on 13 October. The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, approved the move. Only the charge of unexplained wealth remains for a verdict.

Lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro told the court that the prosecution would stand on Article II alone. She said the evidence already presented on unexplained wealth was substantial and that narrowing the case would speed the trial, which began on 6 July and had reached its 39th day. The withdrawn articles covered alleged misuse of confidential funds, bribery, and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the first lady, and a former House speaker.

Presiding officer Senator Francis Escudero ruled that Articles I and IV were dropped with prejudice. They cannot be revived or refiled against Duterte during her current term or in the present Congress. Article III, on which no evidence had been presented, was dropped without prejudice. The defence called the withdrawal unfair because it had already heard damaging allegations in public session and would not be able to answer the dropped counts.

A conviction on the remaining article would still permanently bar Duterte from elected office and end any 2028 presidential bid. Prosecutors have introduced banking, tax and anti-money-laundering witnesses. A forensic accountant earlier estimated roughly 818 million pesos in allegedly unexplained wealth for Duterte and her spouse between 2022 and 2025. Duterte has denied wrongdoing.

The scaling-back reduces the number of witnesses still to be called and shortens the remaining calendar before the Senate turns to the 2027 budget. It also concentrates the legal question on asset declarations required of public officials. Whether the remaining article produces a two-thirds vote for conviction, or an acquittal, will determine whether Duterte remains eligible for higher office after her present term.

Place: Manila. Date: 13 October 2026.