The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte has been cut down to a single charge. Here is what happened and what to watch when the Senate court returns in November.
What was dropped?
On Tuesday, October 13, presiding officer Sen. Francis Escudero granted the prosecution’s motion, ruling that “Articles 1, 3, and 4 shall no longer form part of the Articles of Impeachment,” AFP reported. The dropped counts covered alleged bribery, the alleged illegal use of public funds, and the grave threats Duterte allegedly made against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family. Prosecutors had moved to drop the bribery count the week before.
The threat charge stems from a late-night briefing in which Duterte said she had hired a hitman to kill Marcos, his wife and his cousin, a former congressman, if she were killed first, according to AFP.
What remains?
Only the charge of unexplained wealth. According to Khaleej Times, it alleges that Duterte and her husband amassed ₱817.87 million in undeclared assets. Lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro, a Batangas representative, said the prosecution had already presented strong evidence on that charge. “We’re going all in here. We believe that the evidence is substantial and compelling,” she said, as quoted by AFP.
How many votes are needed to convict?
In September the Senate ruled that the two-thirds requirement refers only to senators “capable of participating.” With four senators allied with Duterte absent (two in jail, one in hiding and one on extended medical leave abroad), only 14 votes are needed, AFP reported. A conviction would permanently bar her from elected office, which would end her bid for the presidency in 2028. Independent surveys show her leading the 2028 race.
What did each side say?
Defense counsel Sheila Sison called the ruling “completely unfair.” Duterte told reporters: “This is not about accountability but character assassination every day.” Michael Henry Yusingco of the Ateneo de Manila University Policy Center said dropping the funds and threat charges is “bordering on prosecutorial misconduct.”
What happens next?
The trial, which began July 6, resumes on November 9, when the defense must answer the unexplained wealth charge. Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said the proceedings could end as early as the end of November.
Sources: Agence France-Presse (AFP) report of October 13, 2026; Khaleej Times report of October 15, 2026.