The House prosecution in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte has decided not to present Office of the Vice President (OVP) chief of staff Zuleika Lopez and House of Representatives security official Captain Belinda Bello as witnesses.Private Prosecutor Lorna Kapunan announced this decision after NBI-Bangsamoro Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc testified for two trial days.

Kapunan stated that the defense's use of the same footage from the virtual press conference already admitted its authenticity, making Lopez's testimony redundant.

The prosecution also cited the clarificatory questions from the senator-judges and the documentary evidence presented by NBI agents John Mark Calilung and Jeremy Lotoc.Lopez was scheduled to testify on July 14, while Bello was set to appear on July 15.The defense welcomed the decision, with lawyer Atty.Michael Poa noting that it was the prosecution's prerogative.Lopez arrived at the Senate ahead of the trial, but her testimony was no longer required.

The prosecution's decision to exclude these witnesses highlights the strategic considerations in legal proceedings, focusing on evidence that directly impacts the case's core allegations.