Sara Duterte Skips Impeachment Trial as Escudero Elected...

Duterte Skips Impeachment Trial Opening

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte will not attend the opening of her impeachment trial on Monday, July 6. Michael Poa, spokesperson for Duterte's defense team, confirmed the absence less than an hour before the trial was set to start at 2 p.m. Poa stated that Duterte was in a planning session with her office to prepare for Super Typhoon Bavi, to be given the local name Inday. Duterte is the first vice president to face an impeachment trial in the Philippines and the only official impeached by the House twice.

The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, will try Duterte on four articles covering alleged misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and threats to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez. Duterte has denied all allegations. A conviction on any single article requires the votes of 16 of the 24 senator-judges and would remove her from office while permanently barring her from public office.

Presiding Officer Election Draws Debate

Sen. Chiz Escudero was elected presiding officer of the Senate impeachment court on Monday, July 6. Escudero received 12 votes in favor and eight against after nomination by Sen. Ping Lacson. The vote followed more than half an hour of debate. Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano argued that the Constitution requires the Senate president to preside over the trial.

Sen. Win Gatchalian noted that the Senate on June 3 voted without objection to amend its rules to allow election of a presiding officer other than the Senate president. Sen. Kiko Pangilinan described Cayetano's point of order as improper. Sen. Tito Sotto III stated that the Constitution is silent on who should preside over an impeachment trial involving officials other than the president. The Cayetano bloc has asked the Supreme Court to void the Senate's June 3 session.

House Prosecution Focuses on Grave Threats First

The House prosecution team will first tackle the grave threats allegation because it is the least complicated charge to prove. House prosecution legal spokesperson Benjamin Tolosa said prosecutors would not need to present many witnesses. Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the issue is whether Duterte remains fit to continue serving as vice president.

The article stems from Duterte's remarks during a Zoom press conference in November 2024, where she said she had hired an assassin to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez if something bad happened to her. Poa would not say whether Duterte will attend future hearings. The prosecution expects to cover Article IV over 11 trial days due to its straightforward nature and limited witness requirements, according to Tolosa.

Executive Branch Maintains Neutral Stance

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not monitor the opening day of the impeachment trial. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Marcos has a heavy workload and will rely on news updates. Castro added that the executive branch will remain neutral. Marcos, speaking to reporters in Vancouver over the weekend, said that if he were in Duterte's place he would insist on appearing even against his lawyers' advice.

Future Hearings and What Comes Next

The Senate impeachment court will continue its work with Escudero as presiding officer. The Cayetano bloc's petition to the Supreme Court seeks to address the June 3 rules change. Marcos Jr. has indicated he will follow developments through news reports rather than direct observation, consistent with the executive branch's neutral position stated by Castro.

Duterte's absence on opening day marks the start of proceedings that could determine her eligibility for the 2028 presidential run she announced in February. The trial remains the first of its kind for a Philippine vice president, with all four articles now before the 24 senator-judges.