Week one of Duterte impeachment trial sees video evidence

The impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte concluded its first week on July 10, 2026, with proceedings centered on allegations that she made grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. The trial, which began on July 5, is scheduled to run for 92 days following the House of Representatives' overwhelming vote to impeach Duterte in May.

Over the initial three days, the Senate impeachment court addressed procedural matters and heard opening statements. The prosecution's case focused heavily on presenting video evidence of the alleged threats. On July 7, prosecutors successfully played the videos after a lengthy debate, with the first witness, National Bureau of Investigation Senior Agent John Mark Calilung, authenticating the footage. The defense team repeatedly objected to the prosecution's line of questioning and the admission of evidence, but the court overruled many of these challenges. The defense has characterized the impeachment as politically motivated, a claim Duterte herself has echoed by not attending the proceedings in person.

The trial unfolds against a backdrop of...