Prosecution shifts impeachment strategy, puts Sara Duterte’s unexplained wealth first

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 07, 2026

Photo Courtesy: Senate of the Philippines

PHILIPPINES – The prosecution is changing the order of battle in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, choosing to tackle the unexplained wealth allegations first while keeping the bribery case on the table.

Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, the lead prosecutor, told the Senate impeachment court that the panel was exercising its prerogative to advance its presentation of evidence on Article II, or unexplained wealth, ahead of the bribery allegations.

The move came after earlier statements that the prosecution was considering dropping the bribery case to help speed up the proceedings. Luistro clarified that bribery has not been abandoned, it will simply be presented last.

The prosecution has already completed its presentation on Article IV, which involves Duterte’s alleged assassination threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The panel is also nearing the end of its presentation on Article I, concerning the alleged misuse of confidential funds released to the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education during Duterte’s tenure.

With the prosecution rearranging its case, the spotlight now shifts to the unexplained wealth allegations, an article that could become a key test of the evidence against the vice president before the proceedings return to the bribery accusations.

For now, the message from the prosecution is clear: the bribery case stays, but unexplained wealth comes first.