⚖️ Impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte

Upcoming dates

• Tue, Oct 13, 2026Trial day 39: the court accepts the prosecution's withdrawal of Articles I, III and IV and the trial continues on Article II only; then a break. scheduled [1] [2]
• Wed, Oct 14, 2026 – Sun, Nov 8, 2026Trial paused (clerk of court Renato Bantug). The prosecution files its written formal offer of evidence, the defense comments, and the presiding officer rules on it; no deadline has been reported. Congress is adjourned from 10 October to 8 November while Senate budget hearings continue. announced [1] [2]
• Mon, Nov 9, 2026The Senate resumes and starts floor debate on the 2027 budget. Senate President Gatchalian said on 12 October that the defense would start presenting its evidence the same day; the court's 8 September calendar had no trial from 9 to 18 November. announced [1] [2]
• Wed, Nov 18, 2026 – Mon, Nov 23, 2026Trial resumes under the court's 8 September calendar: by 18 November, with the regular 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m. schedule from 23 November. Other reports give 19, 20, 23 or 24 November. reported [1] [2] [3]
• Wed, Dec 16, 2026Possible verdict date given by court spokesperson Reginald Tongol if the defense uses all 30 of its trial days. Senator Francis Pangilinan said the court has not set a verdict date. reported [1] [2]
• Fri, Dec 18, 2026Last session day before the Christmas adjournment. scheduled [1]
• Sat, Dec 19, 2026 – Sun, Jan 17, 2027Congress Christmas adjournment. scheduled [1]
• Mon, Jan 18, 2027 – Fri, Mar 19, 2027Congress back in session. scheduled [1]
• Fri, Jun 4, 2027Last session day of the second regular session; adjournment sine die from 5 June 2027. scheduled [1]

Not yet known: No deadline for the prosecution's formal offer of evidence; no Supreme Court action on the Padilla–Go petition; no verdict date set by the court.

Articles of impeachment

1. Article I: culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trustwithdrawn
   Alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education. Withdrawn by the prosecution; the court accepted the withdrawal on 13 October. The presiding officer ruled that Articles I and IV may not be revived, refiled or transmitted anew. This bar covers impeachment only, not criminal, civil or administrative cases. [1] [2] [3]
2. Article II: culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trustpending
   Alleged unexplained wealth: differences between bank records and the net worth declared in her SALNs, and undeclared business interests. The only article still on trial. The defense must present its evidence on it and may rely on evidence already in the record. [1] [2] [3]
3. Article III: bribery, graft and corruption, culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trustwithdrawn
   Alleged cash gifts to Department of Education officials. Withdrawn by the prosecution (manifestation filed 6 October); the court accepted the withdrawal on 13 October. The presiding officer said it may not be revived in this trial; reports describe it as withdrawn without prejudice. [1] [2] [3]
4. Article IV: culpable violation of the Constitution, high crimes, betrayal of public trustwithdrawn
   Alleged threats against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former Speaker Martin Romualdez, and alleged inciting to sedition. Withdrawn by the prosecution; the court accepted the withdrawal on 13 October. The presiding officer ruled that Articles I and IV may not be revived, refiled or transmitted anew. This bar covers impeachment only, not criminal, civil or administrative cases. [1] [2] [3]

How a verdict works

The senators sit as judges. Senator Francis Escudero presides over the impeachment court; the senator-judges elected him on 6 July 2026, 12 to 8. Sherwin Gatchalian is Senate President. [1] [2]

A conviction needs two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate (Constitution, Article XI, Section 3(6)). On 6 July the presiding officer ruled that this meant 16 of 24. On 23 September the court overturned that ruling, 13 to 1 with six senators not voting: only senators able to take part at the time of the vote are counted. With 20 eligible senators that is 14 votes; the court decides who is eligible when it votes, so the number can change. Senators Robin Padilla and Bong Go and others asked the Supreme Court on 6 October to restore the 16-vote rule; no court action had been reported by 13 October. [1] [2] [3]

Court challenges

• Fri, Jul 25, 2025Supreme Court (13-0-2) declares the February 2025 articles unconstitutional under the one-year bar and due process. The House motion for reconsideration was denied with finality, announced 29 January 2026. [1] [2]
• Wed, Aug 5, 2026Supreme Court dismisses as moot the petitions of the Vice President and several lawyers to stop the 2026 proceedings. [1]
• Wed, Sep 30, 2026Supreme Court dismisses the petitions of Victor Rodriguez, Berteni Causing and Ernesto Francisco Jr. against the 23 September voting ruling for lack of standing and prematurity; the merits were not decided. [1] [2]
• Tue, Oct 6, 2026Senators Robin Padilla and Bong Go, PDP-Laban and others file a petition asking the Supreme Court to restore the 16-vote minimum. No court action had been reported by 13 October. [1] [2]

Our trial coverage

• Witness tells impeachment court Sara Duterte's unexplained wealth could reach P1.5B Tue, Oct 13, 2026
• Financial analyst Alexander Cabrera says report used no documents from Sara Duterte Mon, Oct 12, 2026
• Gatchalian: Senate starts budget deliberations October 14, pauses impeachment trial Mon, Oct 12, 2026
• BIR witness confirms letter of authority for Cale88, firm of Sara Duterte's husband Sat, Oct 10, 2026
• Senate court takes down Sara Duterte trial livestream over BIR officers' names Sat, Oct 10, 2026
• Prosecution witness alleges P817.87M unexplained wealth for VP Sara Duterte, husband Sat, Oct 10, 2026
• Prosecutor Keith Flores: House drops bribery article in Sara Duterte trial Fri, Oct 9, 2026
• BIR records: Sara Duterte, Carpio's combined income below her declared net worth Thu, Oct 8, 2026
• Robin Padilla, Bong Go ask Supreme Court to restore 16-vote rule in Sara Duterte trial Thu, Oct 8, 2026
• Impeachment trial Day 35: insurers detail Sara Duterte, Carpio policies Thu, Oct 8, 2026
• Impeachment trial: Escudero calls for restraint, civility as tensions rise Thu, Oct 8, 2026
• Escudero: Sara Duterte, husband's declared net worth below bank transactions Wed, Oct 7, 2026

How the case got here

• Mon, Dec 2, 2024First of three citizens' impeachment complaints filed in the House (others on 4 and 19 December 2024). [1]
• Wed, Feb 5, 2025First impeachment: a complaint signed by 215 House members is sent to the Senate the same day. [1]
• Fri, Jul 25, 2025Supreme Court declares the 2025 articles unconstitutional; a new complaint may be filed from 6 February 2026. [1]
• Wed, Aug 6, 2025Senate votes 19-4-1 to archive the 2025 articles. [1]
• Mon, Feb 2, 2026Two new impeachment complaints filed in the House. [1]
• Wed, Apr 29, 2026House justice committee finds probable cause, 53-0. [1]
• Mon, May 11, 2026Second impeachment: the House votes 257 to 25 with 9 abstentions (House Resolution No. 989). [1] [2]
• Mon, May 18, 2026The Senate convenes as an impeachment court; senators take their oath as senator-judges. [1]
• Mon, Jul 6, 2026Trial opens; Escudero is elected presiding officer and rules that a conviction needs 16 votes. [1] [2]
• Tue, Jul 7, 2026The prosecution opens its case with Article IV. [1]
• Wed, Sep 23, 2026The court overturns the fixed 16-vote rule, 13 to 1 with six not voting; 14 of 20 eligible senators are now needed. [1]
• Tue, Oct 6, 2026The prosecution files a manifestation withdrawing Article III (bribery). [1]
• Mon, Oct 12, 2026Day 38: the defense cross-examines the prosecution's last witness, and the prosecution ends its presentation of evidence. [1] [2]
• Tue, Oct 13, 2026Day 39: the court accepts the prosecution's withdrawal of Articles I, III and IV; Article II (unexplained wealth) is the only charge left. [1] [2] [3]