The prosecution has reserved the right to call Vice President Sara Duterte as a witness in her impeachment trial at the conclusion of its presentation of all four articles.
"The testimony of the Vice President will be material to all four articles," prosecution counsel Atty. Lorna Kapunan stated as the prosecution rested its case on Article I, which alleges the misuse and misappropriation of confidential funds.
Kapunan added that the panel will no longer present its remaining 15 witnesses for the first article, emphasizing, "All of these pawns and castles and horses and bishops point to only one person, and that accountable person is the Vice President."
Meanwhile, lead defense counsel Atty. Shiela Sison maintained that the Vice President remains actively engaged in the proceedings through her legal team.
"Until now, it is clear the respondent is here through her counsel," Sison asserted. "If the respondent is not interested in the trial, she will not send her lawyers."