Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian indicated that the impeachment court aims to conclude proceedings and issue a verdict on Vice President Sara Duterte's case between mid to late November 2026.
The Senate impeachment court in the Philippines is aiming to issue its ruling on Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment case by the end of November 2026, Senate President and senator-judge Sherwin Gatchalian announced on October 4, 2026. Gatchalian indicated that while the process has progressed swiftly, with certain witnesses dropped and additional time granted to the court, a brief two-week break at the end of October may affect the timeline. Nonetheless, he expressed optimism that the trial could be completed within 30 to 45 calendar days from early October, with a verdict possible between mid-November and the end of the month.
Currently, the court is deliberating on Article 2 of the Articles of Impeachment, which concerns allegations of unexplained wealth by Vice President Duterte. Meanwhile, the prosecution panel is reportedly considering dropping bribery charges contained in Article 3, which accused the Vice President of bribing officials during her tenure as Secretary of Education from 2022 to 2024. Representative Zia Alonto Adiong, a spokesperson for the House trial, noted that discussions within the prosecution team regarding next steps are ongoing. The decision to potentially drop certain charges appears influenced by the strength of the initial allegations.
Senate President Gatchalian emphasized the intention to conclude the impeachment proceedings before Christmas 2026, reflecting adjustments that have accelerated certain aspects of the trial. The court continues to navigate the complexities of the case while managing the schedule to accommodate procedural breaks and ensure thorough deliberation.
Sources referenced:
- https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/1004698/impeachment-court-may-rule-on-sara-duterte-case-by-end-november-sen-gatchalian/story/
