Manila, Sept. 8 -- The Senate impeachment court on Tuesday directed House prosecutors not to formally rest their cases on Vice President Sara Duterte's confidential fund and grave threat charges yet, leaving room for senator-judges to call additional witnesses on their own.

Presiding officer Francis "Chiz" Escudero said the court would decide after the prosecution and defense have presented their respective evidence-in-chief whether additional testimony is still needed before resolving the articles.

"After you shall have presented your respective evidence in chief on this article, the court shall decide on whether or not to call additional witnesses," Escudero said.

The directive covers Article I involving Duterte's alleged misuse and ...