The National Bureau of Investigation chief testified Wednesday during the ninth day [1] of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial in Manila.
The proceedings represent a critical legal challenge to the vice presidency, as the Senate court examines whether the second-highest official in the Philippines misused public funds.
The hearing took place on July 22, 2026 [2], marking the ninth day [1] of the trial. The NBI chief provided testimony before the Senate impeachment court regarding the investigation into the Vice President's conduct. The trial focuses on several primary accusations, including the alleged misuse of public funds, and the accumulation of unexplained wealth [3].
Beyond financial irregularities, the court is hearing evidence regarding alleged threats made by the Vice President against top government officials [3]. These charges form the basis of the impeachment effort, which seeks to determine if the Vice President committed high crimes or other impeachable offenses.
Legal teams for both the prosecution and the defense continue to present witnesses and evidence to the Senate. The NBI's involvement is central to the case, as the bureau is responsible for the forensic and criminal investigation into the financial records and communications cited in the impeachment articles.
The Senate serves as the sole judge of the impeachment trial. Its members must decide if the evidence presented by the NBI and other witnesses warrants the removal of the Vice President from office.
“The trial focuses on several primary accusations, including the alleged misuse of public funds.”
The testimony of the NBI chief is a pivotal moment in the trial, as it moves the proceedings from political accusation to the presentation of investigative findings. If the evidence of fund misuse and threats is validated by the Senate, it could lead to a constitutional crisis or the first successful impeachment of a sitting vice president in recent Philippine history.
