Defense panel still silent after Senate lifts sub judice rule on Duterte impeachment articles

In the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, the court lifted the sub judice rule on three articles after the prosecution withdrew them. Senator-judge Sherwin Gatchalian reported that the defense panel has not yet provided any response, though it may do so at any time. The prosecution has already submitted a formal offer of evidence and is waiting for the defense's reply.

Evidence was presented for Articles 1 and 4, which address alleged misuse of confidential funds and threats toward President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Article 3, concerning alleged bribery of Department of Education officials, was withdrawn. Presiding Senator Francis Escudero clarified that the removal of the sub judice rule does not allow unrestricted dissemination of the evidence linked to the withdrawn articles.