MANILA, Philippines – The Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte entered its second week on July 13, 2026, shifting focus from witness testimony to a legal battle over access to her financial records. Senator-judges heard oral arguments on whether to subpoena documents related to her office's expenditures, as reported by local media.
The prosecution argued that the financial records are crucial to proving allegations of corruption and misuse of public funds, while the defense maintained that the subpoena is overly broad and violates Duterte's right to privacy. The trial, which began on July 6, 2026, stems from complaints filed in late 2025 alleging misuse of confidential funds.
As of July 17, 2026, the Senate has not yet ruled on the subpoena motion. The trial is expected to resume on July 20, 2026, with further arguments. No verdict has been reached, and the proceedings remain ongoing.
