Manila, Sept. 8 -- The prosecution panel on Tuesday announced that it will forgo all 15 remaining witnesses out of the 27 originally intended for Article I, which covers the alleged misuse and misappropriation of the confidential funds of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte.

"In lieu of presenting 15 other witnesses, we will be presenting the Vice President herself," according to private prosecutor, lawyer Lorna Kapunan.

The announcement followed discussions among public and private prosecutors that began Monday night and continued before the hearing, Kapunan said.

"After a long meeting last night and towards this morning, just before this hearing, the prosecution, both public and private prosecutors, have decided to... forego, Your Honors,...