The Philippine Senate continued the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte on July 29, 2026 [1].

The proceedings mark a critical juncture for the Vice President, who faces allegations of amassing unexplained wealth and making public threats to have the president assassinated [3, 4]. A conviction would remove her from office and could block her potential bid for the presidency in 2028 [4].

During the 10th day of the trial [1], Presiding Officer Francis "Chiz" Escudero managed the sequence of testimony and evidence. The court heard from the prosecution, which includes Congresswoman Gerville Luistro [1, 2].

Escudero clarified the order of the legal process to ensure the prosecution establishes its case before the defense responds. "The presentation of evidence by the prosecution should be finished first before the camp of Vice President Sara Duterte presents her defense," Escudero said [1].

The trial is being conducted within the Senate impeachment court, where senators act as judges to determine if the charges are substantiated [1, 3]. The case focuses on financial irregularities and the nature of the Vice President's rhetoric regarding the head of state [3, 4].

While some reports indicated the Vice President was not present for the first day of the trial, the proceedings have continued with her legal camp preparing for the defense phase [2]. The Senate must now determine when the prosecution has sufficiently presented its evidence to allow the transition to the defense's testimony.

“The presentation of evidence by the prosecution should be finished first before the camp of Vice President Sara Duterte presents her defense.”

This trial represents a significant constitutional clash in the Philippines, testing the Senate's role as an impeachment court. Beyond the legal charges of corruption and threats, the outcome carries heavy political weight; removing Duterte from power would fundamentally shift the political landscape and likely eliminate her as a viable candidate for the 2028 presidential election.