The Senate impeachment court dropped three articles against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero said the defense no longer has to present evidence or witnesses on those three charges. The court approved the prosecution's withdrawal of the articles.
For kababayan following Philippine politics from Singapore, this trims the case the senator-judges will vote on.
What changed
The three dropped articles covered misuse of confidential funds, bribery, and threats, based on the court's ruling.
Escudero said the three articles will no longer be submitted to senator-judges for a vote or verdict. That made it unnecessary for the defense to contest charges that will no longer be decided.
The court approved the prosecution's withdrawal before the defense was set to answer.
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Who it affects
Vice President Duterte is the respondent in the impeachment case. The senator-judges are the ones who would have voted on each article.
Filipinos abroad, including OFWs in Singapore, have followed the impeachment proceedings. The outcome touches the country's second-highest office.
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What happens next
The remaining articles stay with the Senate impeachment court. The source does not state how many articles remain or what the next hearing date is.
Escudero's explanation covers only the three withdrawn articles. No vote or verdict will be held on them.
Details on the remaining charges and the schedule are not confirmed in the source.
