00:00Mr. Presiding Officer, the Honorable Senator Judges,
00:08four articles of impeachment were filed against the respondent vice president.
00:17Today, the prosecution respectfully manifests that it will no longer pursue three of them.
00:31It will stand on one, and that is Article 2 on Unexplained Wealth.
00:42Let me explain in three parts.
00:49First, our decision to focus on what is necessary.
00:57During pre-trial, the prosecution named numerous witnesses, but did not present all of them.
01:09On the article on threats, we named 10 witnesses and presented only three.
01:18On the article on confidential funds, we named 27 and presented only 11.
01:29On the article on unexplained wealth, we named 15 and presented 11, not counting the individual bank and insurance witnesses.
01:45On the article on bribery, we will present none of the five witnesses we had named.
01:57In all, some 32 witnesses will no longer be called to the witness stand.
02:06This reflects the prosecution's considered decision to focus its case only on the witnesses absolutely necessary for each article.
02:27The prosecution has not yet made its formal offer of documentary evidence.
02:39Had we proceeded on all four articles, the impeachment court would have had to consider the evidence offered for each
02:50together with the corresponding objections and arguments.
02:57By focusing on one article, the matters requiring the impeachment court's consideration are correspondingly narrowed with practical benefits for the
03:12Senate, the respondent, and even the public.
03:19Third, why one article is enough?
03:24The prosecution believes it has presented sufficient evidence for Article 2 to stand on its own.
03:35All in po tayo dito.
03:38We believe that evidence is substantial and compelling and warrants the respondent's removal from office for culpable violation of the
03:51Constitution and betrayal of public trust.
03:56Article 2, the article on unexplained wealth, covers three matters.
04:05One, unexplained wealth, two, violations of the SALIN, and three, prohibited business interest.
04:17We believe we have provided sufficient evidence on all these allegations.
04:24In the prosecution's assessment, concentrating on this article is the most judicious course consistent with the evidence and our duty
04:38to the nation.
04:39Therefore, honorable senator judges, beloved countrymen, the prosecution formally manifests its withdrawal of and intention to no longer pursue Article
04:591 on confidential funds,
05:02Article 3 on bribery, Article 3 on bribery, and Article 4 on threats.
05:10We respectfully submit this manifestation to the Honorable Impeachment Court for its consideration and appropriate action.
05:20We recall the impeachment trial of then-Chief Justice Renato Corona, in which the prosecution likewise withdrew certain articles and
05:34proceeded only on the remaining ones.
05:38That president recognized the prosecution's privilege to determine which articles to pursue and which to drop.
05:49This manifestation is made in that same spirit to exercise the prosecution's judgment on which charges to pursue,
06:02as well as to safeguard the interests of the nation against betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the
06:12Constitution.
06:14Thank you, Mr. Presiding Officer.
06:17Thank you, Honorable Senator Judges.
