PASAY CITY — The Philippine Senate convened as an impeachment court for the first time against a sitting vice president on Monday, July 6, formally opening the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte in proceedings expected to run 92 trial days.
Duterte did not appear at the opening. She was represented by her legal team, and the impeachment court's spokesperson said she cannot be compelled to attend because of her constitutional right against self-incrimination.
Four Articles of Impeachment Covering Funds, Wealth, and Public Threats
The court will hear four Articles of Impeachment covering the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds, unexplained wealth, constitutional violations, and betrayal of public trust — including an alleged public threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Duterte has denied all accusations.
Escudero Elected Presiding Officer After Constitutional Debate
Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero was elected presiding officer after Senator Panfilo Lacson moved for the vote. Twelve senator-judges voted in favor and eight against.
Escudero clarified that 16 affirmative votes — the two-thirds threshold — are required to convict. That figure is sharpened by the fact that three senators are currently unable to participate in the proceedings.
The election followed a sharp constitutional dispute. Senator Alan Peter Cayetano argued that installing a presiding officer other than the Senate President was constitutionally infirm and warned it could compromise the proceedings. Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan countered that Congress has the power to set its own procedures, noting the rules were amended at a June 17 special session, and that the charter does not require the Senate President to preside when a vice president is on trial.
Three Pro-Duterte Senators Sidelined by Legal Troubles
Three senators viewed as aligned with the Duterte bloc are unable to take part. Senator Jinggoy Estrada was arrested last month on a nonbailable plunder charge tied to a flood-control bribery scandal and has been suspended for 90 days. Senator Rodante Marcoleta was arrested hours before the trial opened on a plunder charge over allegedly undeclared campaign donations.
Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, who faces an International Criminal Court warrant, is believed to be in hiding.
Court Orders Bank Subpoenas, Seals Tax Documents on Opening Day
On its first day, the impeachment court acted on several motions. It denied the prosecution's bid to arraign Duterte. It ordered a sealed box containing the income tax returns of Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, returned to the Bureau of Internal Revenue, ruling the documents were not yet in evidence.
The court issued subpoenas directing at least nine banks to produce the couple's financial records covering 2006 to 2025. It also summoned two National Bureau of Investigation officials — NBI-BARMM regional director Jeremy Lotoc and cyber agent John Mark Calilung — to testify.
Both sides agreed to exchange witness lists at least five days before any scheduled testimony. The clerk of court will publish approved motions, pleadings, and records on a dedicated Senate website page for public access.
Prosecution: Conviction Stands Even If Duterte Resigns
The prosecution panel, led by Rep. Gerville Luistro, said it had sufficient evidence and witnesses to secure a conviction. The panel maintained the trial should proceed even if Duterte resigns, because conviction carries two penalties — removal from office and perpetual disqualification from public office — and a resignation would address only the first.
Heavy Security as Protesters Gather Outside Senate
Security around the Senate complex was heavy on opening day. Police deployed thousands of officers with anti-riot units on standby, as several hundred demonstrators gathered outside calling for Duterte's conviction.
2028 Presidential Bid and ICC Context
A conviction would bar Duterte from her announced 2028 presidential bid, when President Marcos's term ends. Duterte and Marcos won the 2022 election as running mates before their alliance collapsed into a bitter public feud.
Duterte is the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently in ICC custody in The Hague over his deadly anti-drug campaign.
By the Numbers
- P612.5 million — confidential funds allegedly misused, as charged in the impeachment articles
- 92 trial days — the expected length of the impeachment proceedings
- 16 votes — two-thirds threshold required to convict among senator-judges
- 12 vs. 8 — senator-judges who voted for and against Escudero as presiding officer
- 3 senators — Duterte-aligned senators currently unable to participate
- 9 banks — financial institutions subpoenaed to produce records
- 2006–2025 — period covered by the bank subpoenas for financial records
- 90 days — suspension imposed on Senator Estrada following his arrest
Why This Matters
This is the first time in Philippine history that a sitting vice president has faced a Senate impeachment trial, marking a significant constitutional moment for the country's democratic institutions. A conviction — requiring 16 senator-judges — would result in Duterte's removal from office and her permanent disqualification from holding any public office, including the 2028 presidential race she has announced. The sidelining of three senators aligned with the Duterte bloc, each facing separate criminal charges, further shapes the arithmetic and political dynamics of a trial expected to run through the remainder of the year.
Photo credit: Photo from Senate of the Philippines