Gatchalian sees possible November end to VP Sara Duterte impeachment trial

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 05, 2026

Photo courtesy: The Herald Journal

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate impeachment court could conclude Vice President Sara Duterte’s trial by mid- to late November, although no formal date for a verdict has been set, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian, who also sits as a senator-judge, estimated that the proceedings could require another 30 to 45 calendar days based on the current pace of the trial. He stressed that the timeline was his personal assessment and could still change. 

The estimate is earlier than the December 16 date previously floated by impeachment court spokesperson Reginald Tongol. Tongol based his projection on the remaining prosecution proceedings and the time allotted for Duterte’s defense to present its case. 

Sen. Francis Pangilinan later clarified that the senator-judges had not formally or informally agreed on a December 16 verdict date, describing it as Tongol’s own estimate rather than an official timetable adopted by the court.

The trial is currently focused on Article II, which accuses Duterte of accumulating unexplained wealth and failing to fully disclose assets and business interests in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth. The allegations remain subject to adjudication by the impeachment court. 

Prosecutors are expected to continue presenting financial evidence, including records involving Duterte, her husband Manases “Mans” Carpio and their business interests. AMLC Secretariat Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura is scheduled to testify as part of the prosecution’s presentation on the financial transactions under scrutiny. 

A development over the weekend could further shorten the trial.

House prosecutor and Manila Rep. Joel Chua confirmed that the prosecution would no longer pursue Article III, which contains allegations of bribery involving Department of Education officials during Duterte’s tenure as education secretary. Prosecutors said the decision was intended to streamline the proceedings and avoid extending the trial into next year. Duterte has denied the allegations against her. 

The prosecution has already completed its presentation on other portions of its case, including the article involving Duterte’s alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. 

Gatchalian said the expanded schedule of 11 full-day trial sessions, along with the prosecution’s decision to drop several witnesses, has helped accelerate the proceedings. 

The Senate calendar, however, could affect the timetable. Gatchalian cited the chamber’s two-week break later in October, deliberations on the proposed 2027 national budget beginning November 9, and the ASEAN Summit from November 16 to 18 as scheduling considerations. 

For now, both the November projection and the earlier December 16 estimate remain tentative. The actual date of a verdict will depend on how quickly the remaining prosecution evidence, the defense presentation and subsequent stages of the impeachment proceedings are completed.