ICYMI: Sara Duterte impeachment trial Week 2 highlights

MANILA, Philippines – The Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte shifted focus this week from witness testimony to a key legal battle over access to her financial records, as senator-judges heard oral arguments on whether to subpoena her bank accounts, tax returns, and Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) documents in connection with Article II of the Articles of Impeachment, which alleges unexplained wealth and undeclared assets.

The impeachment court deferred its ruling until July 20, saying it needed more time to study the legal issues raised by both the prosecution and the defense.

READ: Sara Duterte impeachment trial: Everything you need to know

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The prosecution argued that the records are crucial in proving allegations of unexplained wealth under Article II of the impeachment complaint, while the defense maintained that the request amounts to a “fishing expedition” that violates Duterte’s rights to confidentiality and due process.

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The week also saw the prosecution streamline its witness list for the grave-threats charge, leaving only NBI Director Melvin Matibag to complete the presentation of evidence under Article IV.

Outside the courtroom, developments surrounding the impeachment trial continued to generate political ripples.

A newly announced NBI probe into the 2019 SEA Games sports complex drew criticism from senator-judges Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano, while the Supreme Court cleared three personalities cited for indirect contempt over comments on the impeachment proceedings.

Key developments

July 13 (Day 4)

NBI Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc continued his testimony as the prosecution’s second witness under Article IV.

Lotoc testified that Vice President Duterte’s alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez were “serious, real, and actual.”

He said the NBI concluded the statements were not protected by freedom of speech because they allegedly satisfied the elements of a criminal offense.

READ: Highlights: Day 4 of Sara Duterte impeachment trial | July 13, 2026

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July 14 (Day 5)

Lotoc completed his testimony and underwent cross-examination by the defense.

He acknowledged having no personal knowledge that Duterte had hired a hitman but maintained that the NBI’s investigation linked her to the alleged threat.

The House prosecution dropped several planned witnesses for Article IV, including Duterte aide Zuleika Lopez and other corroborative witnesses, saying their testimonies had become unnecessary after the first two NBI witnesses testified.

READ: Highlights: Day 5 of Sara Duterte impeachment trial | July 14, 2026

July 15 (Day 6)

No witnesses were presented as both camps delivered oral arguments on the prosecution’s request to subpoena Duterte’s bank records, tax returns, and AMLC documents.

The prosecution argued the records are necessary to prove allegations of unexplained wealth, while the defense called the request a “fishing expedition.”

The impeachment court deferred its ruling on the subpoena request until July 20.

Court spokesperson Reginald Tongol clarified that only a simple majority of senator-judges present is needed to decide the subpoena request and stressed that the vote should not be equated with a conviction vote.

The prosecution announced its first three witnesses for Article I, which deals with the alleged misuse of confidential funds.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag confirmed he would testify on July 21 as the prosecution’s final witness under Article IV.

READ: Highlights: Day 6 of Sara Duterte impeachment trial | July 15, 2026

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Other developments

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said he would vote against opening Duterte’s tax records without written authorization from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Malacañang said it doubts Duterte would voluntarily sign a waiver allowing access to her financial records.

The NBI’s investigation into alleged funding irregularities involving the 2019 SEA Games sports complex sparked criticism from Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano, who questioned its timing.

The Department of Justice and Malacañang defended the NBI, saying the investigation was evidence-based and unrelated to the impeachment trial.

The Supreme Court cleared political analyst Richard Heydarian, Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña, and Presidential Adviser Larry Gadon of indirect contempt over their public comments on the impeachment proceedings.

Sources

Marcos nod seen as key to opening Sara Duterte records

SC dismisses raps vs critics of VP ruling

Palace doubts Sara Duterte will sign financial records waiver

NBI chief Matibag skips Bangkok summit due to Duterte impeachment trial

DOJ defends NBI on cauldron probe: Investigation done with integrity

Cayetano-Matibag spat revives ‘kaldero’ issue

Prosecution, defense clash over VP’s bank, tax records

Highlights: Day 6 of Sara Duterte impeachment trial | July 15, 2026

VP Duterte’s financial activity surged in public office – Diokno

2 ex-LBP execs, House archives chief to testify on VP confidential funds

Prosec won’t call sheriff, reporters as witnesses in impeach trial anymore

Tax, bank records subpoena may be fishing expedition – Sara Duterte camp

Matibag: Probing 2019 SEA Games complex has nothing to do with Cayetano

Tongol: Unfair to call vote on VP bank, tax records a conviction vote

Prosecution: Evidence enough vs Sara Duterte even if tax subpoena denied

Witness links ex-Pres. Duterte’s ICC case to VP’s kill threat capability

NBI exec: Evidence points to Sara Duterte’s kill plot against Marcos

VP threats vs Marcos ‘serious, real’ – NBI exec

Prosecution won’t raise vote threshold before SC

Duterte’s defense team insists ‘bloodbath’ has no violent meaning

Lacson’s reminder: Marcos’ OK needed to open BIR box of VP’s tax records

Editor’s note: This update was generated with the aid of artificial intelligence based on Inquirer.net and Philippine Daily Inquirer articles and reviewed by a human editor.

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