LIVE UPDATES: Impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte
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Source: Rappler · October 1, 2026 at 10:32 AM · AI-assisted report
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KUALA LUMPUR, 1 OCTOBER 2026 —
Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial began at 2 p.m. on Monday, 6 July, marking the first time a Philippine public official has faced a second impeachment by the House of Representatives.
Market Impact
The trial, conducted before a Senate impeachment court, involves four articles of impeachment alleging misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery of Department of Education officials and grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family. The proceedings are expected to shape political dynamics ahead of the 2026 national elections and could influence investor confidence in the Philippines.
Only 21 of the 24 senator‑judges are present in the chamber. Senator Bato de la Rosa remains in hiding after an International Criminal Court arrest warrant was issued over former President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war. Senator Jinggoy Estrada is detained and suspended in connection with a plunder case, while Senator Rodante Marcoleta surrendered to authorities after also facing a plunder charge.
On 1 October 2026, the Senate impeachment court granted the defence’s request to defer the testimony of Anti‑Money Laundering Council (AMLC) Director Ronel Buenaventura, allowing more time to study AMLC documents and examine the witness. The court set the trial to resume on 5 October. Senator‑judge Risa Hontiveros recorded that no absolute confidentiality requirement for AMLC officials binds an impeachment court, a point raised on the 31st day of the trial.
Senator‑judge Vicente Sotto III voiced “strong reservations” about postponing the 1 October hearing, citing concerns over the defence’s request for additional time to review AMLC material. Senator‑judge Alan Peter Cayetano echoed Sotto’s reservations but urged the court to grant the request.
Defence lawyer Lindon Bacquel asserted that the properties presented by two witnesses were already declared in Vice President Duterte’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN). The claim was made on the 31st day of the trial, 1 October.
Davao City Register of Deeds IV Kathy Florence Baldonado said she has no personal knowledge of the Vice President’s properties, liabilities, net worth or business interests and could not testify on the completeness of her SALN.
Public prosecutor Keith Flores indicated that the decision to drop former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV as a witness might not be final, noting ongoing questions about the revised trial schedule and coordination among prosecutors. The prosecution remains undecided on how to proceed with Trillanes’ possible testimony.
City of Samal Deputy Register of Deeds III Marco Pineda reported that a P3.4 million deed of sale lacks a matching record and the property does not appear in Vice President Duterte’s 2019 SALN, a point raised on the 32nd day of the trial, 1 October.
The impeachment trial, still in its early stages, has already drawn attention from regional investors monitoring political risk in Southeast Asia. Market analysts note that prolonged proceedings and the involvement of high‑profile senators could affect the Philippines’ credit outlook and foreign direct investment inflows, especially as the country prepares for its 2026 general election.
The next hearing is scheduled for 5 October, when the Senate impeachment court will consider the defence’s request to examine AMLC documents and hear Director Buenaventura’s testimony, if the court decides to lift the deferral. The outcome of the trial will determine whether Vice President Duterte faces removal from office and could set precedents for future impeachment processes in the Philippines.