The Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte entered its final phase on Tuesday as the court concluded Day 28 of proceedings. Presiding officer Senator-judge Francis Escudero announced that Wednesday’s session will focus on oral arguments regarding the conviction-vote threshold, with no witnesses scheduled to testify. Each side will have 15 minutes to present their case.
Private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan criticized Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte’s admission that he was unaware of his sister’s financial ties to GenCorp Industries Inc. She described the confession as revealing a failure to exercise due diligence. The admission came during ongoing legal challenges to the impeachment process, which has drawn significant public and political attention.
The trial has been marked by intense scrutiny of Sara Duterte’s alleged conflicts of interest. Legal experts note that the upcoming arguments will determine whether the Senate can reach the required two-thirds majority for conviction. The outcome could have major implications for the administration and the legal framework surrounding high-level officials.
The court’s decision to limit testimony to arguments underscores the procedural focus of the final stages. As the trial moves toward its conclusion, the political stakes remain high, with public opinion closely following the developments.
