Photo credit: Congress PH

A House prosecutor said the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte may not require the presentation of all four Articles of Impeachment if a single charge is already strong enough to secure a conviction in the Senate.

Speaking at the Saturday News Forum held at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City, Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua said the House prosecution panel is prepared to adjust its strategy depending on how the evidence is received during the trial.

According to Chua, the prosecution's goal is not necessarily to prove all four articles, but to establish enough grounds to hold the Vice President accountable under the Constitution.

“Depende po kasi kung sa tingin po namin, after two, one, two, or three articles, tingin namin, matibay na yung aming ebidensya, hindi na po namin kailangan tapusin ‘yung apat na articles,” Chua said.

He emphasized that a conviction does not require all four articles to be sustained.

“So ang kailangan naman namin ay isang conviction sa article,” Chua said.

“Hindi po kailangan conviction sa lahat ng articles,” he added.

Chua explained that if senators find sufficient basis to convict based on a single article, the proceedings could effectively conclude without the need to tackle the remaining charges.

“So isa lang doon, ma-convict po siya, tapos na po yung trial,” Chua said.

He added that the prosecution could even ask the Senate to vote after presenting just one article if it believes the evidence is already compelling.

“So, kung puwede po kunwari, naniniwala po kami, pagkatapos po namin ‘yung presentation ng isang article, sa tingin namin matibay na, puwede na po namin i-submit, hindi na po namin ituloy yung tatlo pang articles,” he added.

“So hindi po namin kailangang patunayan yung apat na articles. Kung sa tingin namin ‘yung unang article pa lamang matibay na ang ebidensiya at na naniniwala kami na doon pa lang ma-co-convict na, puwede po hindi na po namin ituloy at puwede po yung doon lamang ay pagbotohan na ng mga senador,” Chua explained.

The House prosecution panel is currently preparing for the pre-trial phase of the impeachment proceedings. Earlier, prosecutors said they intend to file their pre-trial brief on Monday, while the pre-trial conference is scheduled for June 18. The trial proper is expected to begin on July 6.

The prosecution team has also opted to file a manifestation instead of a formal reply to Duterte's answer to the impeachment complaint, arguing that her response amounted to a “non-answer” to the allegations.

The impeachment case against Duterte consists of four Articles of Impeachment approved by the House of Representatives. Under the Constitution, a conviction requires the votes of at least two-thirds of the Senate, which would result in her removal from office and possible disqualification from holding public office in the future.

As preparations continue, Chua said the prosecution remains focused on presenting only the evidence necessary to obtain a conviction, even if that means relying on just one article.