Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial Sees Key Testimonies and Legal Debates

The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is currently underway in the Senate, now in its 28th day as of September 22, 2026. The proceedings this week have featured divided opinions regarding the number of votes needed for conviction. Three retired chief justices informed the court that the two-thirds threshold does not necessarily have to be fixed at 16 votes, as prosecutors continue building their Article II case related to alleged unexplained wealth.

On Day 27 of the trial, the focus was on corporate records, with the prosecution presenting testimonies regarding Duterte's business interests. Gerardo del Rosario, an official from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), confirmed that Duterte was listed as an incorporator in 18 companies and was set to provide further details on the government's and corporate procurement processes.

The prosecution is expected to delve deeper into these matters with witnesses from the Civil Service Commission and the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System set to provide additional insight in the coming days. This presentation aims to support the case concerning Duterte’s declared business interests.

The trial's proceedings have also included discussions about the expected appearance of Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte, who has been directed to appear before the impeachment court from September 28 to 30, as per a subpoena. This move may bring further attention to the familial ties within the context of the trial.

During Day 28, presiding officer Senator-judge Francis Escudero announced that Wednesday's session would be allocated for oral arguments regarding the conviction-vote threshold, meaning no witnesses will be called to testify on that day. Each party involved in the trial will be allowed 15 minutes to present their arguments.

Additionally, among the legal teams engaged in the trial, both prosecution and defense lawyers have been highlighted. Erwin Matib, who assists the House prosecution, and Roberto Narvasa Batungbacal, part of the defense, are notable figures in this ongoing trial.