VP Sara Duterte's Second Impeachment Trial Opens at Senate as Political Rift Deepens

VP Sara Duterte's Second Impeachment Trial Opens at Senate as Political Rift Deepens

The Start of a Historic Trial

The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte formally opened at 2:00 PM on Monday, July 6, 2026, inside the Senate session hall in Pasay City, with Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero elected as presiding officer despite objections from the Cayetano faction.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian oversaw the proceedings as the upper chamber transformed into an impeachment court, deploying thousands of Philippine National Police officers around the Senate building for security amid heightened tensions.

This marks the second impeachment effort against Duterte after the first articles filed in February 2025 were remanded back by the Senate, making her the first vice president in Philippine history to face impeachment twice.

The Articles of Impeachment

The House of Representatives approved the second set of articles on May 11, 2026, charging Duterte with culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes.

Central allegations focus on the alleged misuse of PHP 612.5 million in confidential funds from the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, where Duterte served as secretary from 2022 to 2024, including questionable liquidations and Commission on Audit disallowances tied to ghost recipients.

Additional claims involve unexplained wealth and an alleged assassination plot against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., all rooted in the breakdown of the UniTeam alliance that secured victory in the 2022 elections.

These charges directly affect thousands of DepEd employees across regions like Cebu and Davao, where budget shortfalls have delayed school infrastructure projects and teacher salaries, leaving families in barangays struggling to cover basic needs.

Arrest of Senator Marcoleta

Hours before the trial began on July 6, 2026, Senator Rodante Marcoleta, a known Duterte ally from Davao, was arrested by the Philippine National Police on plunder charges involving PHP 75 million in alleged illegal campaign donations and taken to the PNP General Hospital.

The timing of the arrest, widely viewed as politically motivated by supporters in Mindanao communities, underscores the deepening divide between the Marcos and Duterte political families that erupted into open conflict by mid-2024.

Local farmers and jeepney drivers in Quezon City and Baguio expressed concern that such arrests could further polarize public opinion along regional lines, disrupting daily commutes and market activities reliant on stable political alliances.

Duterte's Defiant Response

On July 7, 2026, Vice President Sara Duterte arrived at the Senate but skipped the trial proceedings, instead holding private meetings with her legal team before telling reporters she would remain "bloodied but unbowed."

The Marcos Jr. administration immediately rebuked Duterte for labeling the trial as "mere politicking," highlighting how the proceedings stem from concrete governance issues rather than personal disputes.

Her stance resonates with OFW families in Manila who see the conflict as a test of bayanihan spirit, yet worry that prolonged political battles could delay remittances and community support programs in sari-sari stores across the provinces.

Subpoena Battle Over Financial Records

The prosecution team requested subpoenas for Duterte's bank and tax records along with those of her husband, Manases Carpio, with oral arguments on the request scheduled for the following week.

Duterte's legal team filed motions to dismiss the articles, arguing they are defective under Senate rules, a move that could prolong the trial and affect public trust in institutions like the Supreme Court and COMELEC.

Such delays impact students in DepEd schools nationwide, where unresolved fund issues have already led to canceled feeding programs in rural barangays, forcing parents to stretch limited household budgets during the Pasko season.

Political Fallout and the Marcos-Duterte Rift

The trial represents the full collapse of the UniTeam alliance formed in 2022, with the Duterte and Marcos families now locked in open rivalry that divides voters from Luzon to Mindanao.

Public opinion splits along regional lines, with some communities in Davao supporting Duterte's defiance while others in Manila call for accountability to restore stability ahead of future elections.

This rift threatens broader economic cooperation, as seen in stalled infrastructure projects that employ jeepney drivers and small vendors, ultimately raising costs for everyday goods in local markets.

What Comes Next

A conviction requires a two-thirds vote of all senators under the 1987 Constitution, with the Senate continuing as the impeachment court under Gatchalian's oversight in the coming weeks.

Further hearings will examine the financial allegations and motions, potentially drawing in more witnesses from government agencies like the DBM and COA.

The outcome will shape how Filipino families navigate political uncertainty, influencing everything from local governance in Cebu to security deployments by the Philippine National Police in urban centers.