Duterte’s Defense Atty. Shiela Sison Calls Prosecution’s Case “Ridiculous Modern Persecution” After Charges Collapse

Duterte’s Defense Atty. Shiela Sison Calls Prosecution’s Case “Ridiculous Modern Persecution” After Charges Collapse

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | October 16, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte have dramatically unraveled as House prosecutors, after 38 days of public hearings and extensive media coverage, abruptly withdrew three of four articles of impeachment: grave threats, bribery, and misuse of confidential funds. The defense has fiercely denounced the process as a “modern-day persecution,” alleging a politically motivated smear campaign built on fabricated charges that the prosecution ultimately could not sustain.

Charges Abandoned After Extensive Damage

Lead House Prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro offered no comprehensive explanation for the withdrawal of the three articles, raising pointed questions about their initial merit. The timing, coming after weeks of case building, suggests a profound weakness in the abandoned allegations.

Defense chief Atty. Sheila Sison condemned the withdrawal as “ridiculous, unbelievable, and unacceptable.” She asserted, “To suggest that after 38 days of reputational damage, the respondent can just use Facebook is unbelievable. This suggests something is profoundly wrong.” Sison emphasized that while the prosecution manages its case, abandoning charges after such public exposure undermines the defense’s fundamental right to clear the Vice President’s name, warning it could be grounds for a mistrial.

Sole Remaining Charge: Based on Unverified Claims

The lone surviving article, unexplained wealth, hinges entirely on the testimony of financial analyst Alexander Cabrera. During cross-examination on Day 38, Cabrera admitted he “never received” and therefore never reviewed any documents or responses from Vice President Duterte or her husband, Mans Carpio. His analysis, therefore, is exclusively based on records provided by the prosecution.

Cabrera alleged that Duterte failed to declare ₱817,874,867 in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), with a potential upper estimate reaching ₱1.5 billion. He cited specific “unusual” transactions, including a ₱200,007.29 meal in Tokyo and Nike purchases in Davao and Kuala Lumpur, without providing any context from the respondent.

Pattern: Allege, Amplify, Abandon

The sequence of presenting three charges for 38 days, then withdrawing them without a formal defense response, has fueled public perception of a politically driven smear campaign. Critics argue taxpayer funds were used to broadcast damaging, unsubstantiated accusations, only to be abandoned once the reputational harm was inflicted.

The Senate impeachment court has recessed, with proceedings to resume on November 9, 2026, focused solely on the unexplained wealth article. Despite their withdrawal, the three discarded articles remain publicly circulated, discussed, and crucially, never formally disproven.

Key Highlights:

Prosecution Withdraws Three Charges: 

After 38 days, House prosecutors dropped three impeachment articles against VP Sara Duterte: grave threats, bribery, and misuse of confidential funds.

“Modern Persecution”:

The defense decries the process as a politically motivated smear, arguing the abandoned charges lacked merit.

Damage Done, No Explanation:

Defense chief Sison called the withdrawal “ridiculous” and “unacceptable” after extensive reputational harm without an opportunity for formal defense.

Sole Remaining Charge Unverified:

The “unexplained wealth” article relies on a financial analyst who admitted his report was based solely on prosecution documents, without input from Duterte or her counsel.

Public Perception:

Millions view the process as an “allege, amplify, abandon” strategy, using public funds for damaging accusations that were never formally proven.

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