Vice President Sara Duterte visited the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Vincent Ferrer in Bogo City, Cebu, on Sunday, July 5, 2026, where she lit a candle and prayed for peace in the country. The visit came a day before the scheduled opening of her impeachment trial at the Senate.
Duterte to skip impeachment trial opening
Earlier, Duterte announced that she would not attend the opening of the impeachment trial against her on Monday, July 6, 2026. Instead, her legal counsel will represent her before the Senate. In a statement, she emphasized that the impeachment proceeding must be based on the Constitution and due process.
“It is the right of the respondent to secure a lawyer to defend them during the process,” Duterte said. She clarified that it is not necessary for the respondent facing an impeachment case to personally appear. The burden of proof lies with the prosecution to substantiate the allegations against her.
Integrity of impeachment trial
“The integrity of an impeachment trial depends on adherence to the rule of law — not on whether the respondent personally takes the stand,” the vice president stated. Duterte’s decision to skip the trial has drawn attention, but her camp maintains that her absence does not undermine the proceedings.
The trial is set to begin on July 6, with the Senate acting as the impeachment court. Duterte’s legal team is expected to present her defense as the prosecution outlines its case.
