Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial Opens: Historic Senate Proceedings Begin in Philippines

In a recent ANC 24/7 report, the Senate in Pasay City convened as an impeachment court past 2 p.m. on Monday with 21 senators present to begin the first trial of a sitting Philippine vice president. The proceedings center on Vice President Sara Duterte, 48, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, and directly affect families in barangays from Manila to Davao who depend on stable national leadership for services funded through the national budget. Ordinary Filipinos, including jeepney drivers and OFWs sending remittances home, now watch how the outcome shapes the 2028 presidential race where she currently leads preference polls with 51 percent support.

Historic Impeachment Trial of Vice President Sara Duterte Opens at Senate in Pasay City

Manila, Philippines — The Philippine Senate opened the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, July 6, 2026, marking the first time a sitting vice president has faced such proceedings. Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian presided over the session that began past 2 p.m. with 21 senators in attendance and stressed the need for due process. The trial follows two impeachments by the House of Representatives, first in February 2025 and again in May 2026, on charges of graft, corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, and an alleged death threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family.

The Charges and Path to Trial

The House prosecution panel will first present evidence on the alleged death threat that stemmed from a late-night news briefing in which Vice President Duterte claimed to have hired an assassin to target the president. Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co stated the panel aims to send a strong message against impunity. A guilty verdict requires a two-thirds vote of the 24-seat Senate, or 16 votes, which would remove her from office and bar her permanently from elected positions. Prosecutors have requested up to 62 days to present their full evidence.

Opening Proceedings and Defense Approach

Senate President Gatchalian opened the session by declaring that impeachment serves as the constitutional mechanism holding the highest public officials accountable to the people and that accountability and justice both require the truth. Vice President Duterte did not attend in person and appeared through her legal counsel. Her defense team of 16 lawyers, led by Atty. Sheila Sison and including Atty. Michael Poa, received her statement that appearing through counsel does not diminish accountability or imply any lack of transparency. The House panel will begin with the death threat evidence before moving to other charges.

Security Deployment and Public Demonstrations

Thousands of police officers were deployed around the Senate building in Pasay City for the opening day. Progressive groups marched from the Manila Film Center toward the Senate, creating brief tension with police before authorities allowed the march to proceed. The Church People-Workers Solidarity urged senator-judges to act with independence and integrity throughout the trial. These visible actions reflect how the Duterte-Marcos feud has divided communities in Metro Manila and beyond, influencing daily discussions in sari-sari stores and family gatherings.

Statements from the Palace and Allies

Malacañang announced that President Marcos will not monitor the trial because he has other responsibilities, with Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro stating he has more important work to do. Vice President Duterte responded that the president's opinion on the trial holds no importance. Hours before the trial began, Senator Rodante Marcoleta, a Duterte ally, turned himself in on separate corruption charges. Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, another Duterte ally, briefly took refuge in the Senate building amid an arrest attempt.

Impact on Filipino Communities and the 2028 Election

The trial outcome is expected to frame the 2028 presidential election, directly affecting policy priorities for farmers in Cebu, students in Quezon City, and workers in Baguio who rely on consistent government programs. Civil society groups have called for decisions based on evidence rather than politics, emphasizing that the result will influence budget allocations handled by the Department of Budget and Management and services delivered through agencies such as the Department of Health and Department of Education. The bitter Duterte-Marcos political feud has already reshaped alliances in Congress and local governments across the archipelago.

What to Watch For

Senators must now decide how to balance the prosecution's evidence schedule with defense motions while maintaining the two-thirds threshold for conviction. Observers will track whether additional witnesses from the House panel strengthen the death threat case and how the 21 senators present on opening day vote on procedural matters. The proceedings will continue to draw attention from communities nationwide as they weigh the implications for leadership accountability ahead of the next national elections.

By Bella Reyes, Staff Writer