Prosecutors drop three impeachment charges against Philippine VP Duterte

Prosecutors in the Philippines have dropped most of the charges against Vice President Sara Duterte, who is on trial in the Senate over claims of corruption and abuse of power. The Senate, which is acting as the court in the case, approved the move on Tuesday.

Lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro told the court on Tuesday that the prosecution was dropping three of the four charges, leaving unexplained wealth as the only allegation for senators to rule on.

The withdrawn charges accused Duterte of misusing confidential funds, bribery, and making threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the first lady and a former House speaker.

Luistro said the evidence already presented was “substantial and compelling” enough to remove Duterte from office. She said, focusing on a single charge would narrow the issues and benefit the Senate, the vice president and the public.

Duterte’s lawyer called the move unfair, saying the defence would not be able to present its case on the withdrawn allegations.

Prosecutors have been presenting evidence since July on charges that Duterte betrayed public trust, amassed unexplained wealth, violated the constitution and committed graft and bribery.

The court ruled earlier that only senators able to take part in the trial would count in the vote, making the two-thirds majority needed for a conviction easier to reach.

If convicted, Duterte could be barred from public office, including the 2028 presidential race.