Sara Duterte says dropped bribery count proves impeachment lacks evidence

Vice President Sara Duterte told reporters that the decision to drop the bribery allegation from her impeachment reflects the prosecution’s lack of evidence and its intent to remove her from office. She characterized the move as a smear campaign rather than genuine accountability. The House of Representatives impeachment panel removed the bribery article on Friday to meet its timetable for presenting evidence, according to panel member Representative Jonathan Keith Flores.

The panel had previously said it might refer the bribery allegation to the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman for possible criminal proceedings. With the bribery charge gone, the impeachment will focus solely on Article II, which accuses Duterte of unexplained wealth due to incomplete asset declarations and failure to divest business interests. The accusations stem from her tenure as secretary of the Department of Education from 2022 to 2024.