Prosecutors drop admission request on Vice President Duterte's bank accounts

On the 28th day of the Senate impeachment trial, the House prosecution panel announced it would no longer pursue a request for admission that Vice President Sara Duterte acknowledge ownership of certain bank accounts. Instead, prosecutor Chel Diokno of the Akbayan party-list proposed that both sides accept stipulations confirming the accounts exist, that the banks produced the records under subpoena, and that the documents are authentic copies.

Diokno argued the accuracy of the records is not truly contested and the change would avoid unnecessary witnesses. Defense counsel Shiela Sison countered by referencing Supreme Court decisions from 1905, 1937 and 1969, as well as constitutional safeguards, to assert that compelled admissions violate the right against self-incrimination. She maintained that an admission is effectively testimony and should be barred. The Senate impeachment court, presided over by Francis "Chiz" Escudero, will still consider the original admission request to provide guidance to both parties.