The political landscape in the Philippines is heating up as one of the most high-profile legal battles in the country’s history is about to unfold. The Senate is fully prepared to open the Sara Duterte impeachment trial this coming Monday, July 6, 2026. Making history as the first Philippine official to be impeached twice by the House of Representatives, the Vice President’s future including her anticipated 2028 presidential run hangs entirely on the verdict of this Senate trial.
For millions of Filipinos tracking this historic event, here is a complete breakdown of the charges, the trial process, and what to expect on the opening day.
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The Impeachment Process and Four Main Charges
The journey to the Senate began at the House of Representatives. Under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the House has the exclusive power to initiate all cases of impeachment. On May 11, 2026, the House formally adopted the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Duterte with a massive 257 plenary votes in favor, officially transmitting the case to the Senate for trial.
The Senate officially convened as an impeachment court on May 18, with senator-judges taking their oaths. Last week, the court finalized five days of exhaustive pre-trial conferences, manually marking thousands of documentary evidence to streamline the upcoming proceedings.
The prosecution will attempt to prove four distinct Articles of Impeachment against Duterte:
- Article I: Misuse of Public Funds: Alleged misuse of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds split between the Office of the Vice President (₱500 million) and the Department of Education (₱112.5 million).
- Article II: Unexplained Wealth: Accumulating wealth manifestly disproportionate to her lawful income and failing to truthfully disclose assets in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).
- Article III: Bribery: Allegations of bribery involving officials of the Department of Education (DepEd).
- Article IV: Grave Threats: Issuing kill threats against several individuals, notably President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Marcos.
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What to Expect at the Senate Impeachment Court
The Senate has laid out a strict 92-day trial schedule, allocating 62 days for the House prosecutors and 30 days for the defense. Hearings will run from Mondays to Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m., shifting to 3:00 p.m. after the President’s State of the Nation Address in late July.
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, currently serving as the court’s presiding officer, issued a formal notice directing the Vice President to appear at the opening day, either in person or represented by her legal counsel from Fortun Narvasa & Salazar. At the opening, both the defense and prosecution teams which now includes star litigator Lorna Kapunan for the prosecution will formally enter their appearances before delivering their opening statements.
To convict the Vice President, 16 out of the 24 senator-judges (two-thirds) must vote guilty on at least one of the four articles. A guilty verdict will result in her immediate removal from office and perpetual disqualification from holding any public position.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is taking no chances with public security. Approximately 6,000 police officers are being deployed around the Senate complex in Pasay City, with several surrounding roads set to be temporarily closed to ensure the proceedings remain peaceful and orderly.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Senate impeachment court will officially begin the trial on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
No. The Senate’s notice directs her to appear either in person or through her legal counsel.
A conviction requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the Senate, which is 16 out of the 24 senator-judges.
A single guilty verdict on any article will result in her immediate removal from the vice presidency and a lifetime ban from holding public office.
The four articles include the misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery of DepEd officials, and grave threats against the President and his family.
