Prosecutors drop 3 impeachment charges against Philippine VP to speed up trial

Philippine prosecutors have dropped three of four impeachment charges against Vice President Sara Duterte to speed up her ongoing trialMANILA, Philippines -- Prosecutors dropped three of four impeachment charges against Vice President Sara Duterte Tuesday to speed up her ongoing trial, saying the remaining allegation of unexplained wealth was enough to convict her.The Philippine Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, approved the move. But Duterte's lawyers called it “completely unfair,” saying prosecutors had already addressed two of the dropped charges in public hearings, exposing her to damaging allegations.The House of Representatives, which is dominated by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s allies, impeached Duterte in May over alleged unexplained wealth, misuse of confidential state funds, bribery and a public threat to have the president, his wife and a former House speaker assassinated if she were killed because of their political disputes. She has broadly denied the allegations.Her public trial began in July against the backdrop of her bitter feud with Marcos. The country's two highest-ranking officials were running mates during the 2022 elections, but their alliance rapid...