Sara Duterte’s defense faces challenge as impeachment trial resumes

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
November 09, 2026

Photo Courtesy: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook

The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte resumed Monday, November 9, with her defense team set to present evidence and witnesses to counter allegations of unexplained wealth and failure to disclose business interests.

A former president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines described the defense’s task as an uphill battle, as the Senate impeachment court has already admitted much of the prosecution’s documentary evidence.

The proceedings are now focused on Article II, the sole remaining impeachment charge after the House prosecution withdrew three other articles involving the alleged misuse of confidential funds, bribery and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his family and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The prosecution previously presented bank records, tax documents, Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), corporate records and a forensic financial analysis to support its allegations.

Financial analyst Alexander Cabrera estimated that Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, had approximately P817.87 million in alleged unexplained wealth and undeclared assets from 2022 to 2025. The defense has disputed the prosecution’s findings and questioned the admissibility of several documents.

In an earlier ruling, the impeachment court admitted most of the prosecution’s evidence but excluded certain corporate records and related computations. It also clarified that admitting documents does not mean the court has accepted the allegations as proven. The senator-judges will determine their evidentiary weight.

Duterte’s defense team initially identified 24 prospective witnesses, including corporate representatives, bank officials and other individuals expected to address questions involving her financial records and business interests.

However, law professor Ralph Sarmiento, who was initially expected to testify, declined the invitation, saying he wanted to preserve his independence as a constitutional law scholar.

The defense was also expected to present Suzette Balucanag-Punay, corporate counsel for GenCorp Industries Inc. and Metro City Chow Foods Corporation. She was unable to attend the November 9 hearing because of a previously scheduled medical procedure.

The prosecution, meanwhile, has called on the defense to concentrate on the remaining charge and avoid prolonging proceedings by presenting evidence related to the three withdrawn articles.

Duterte’s camp has maintained that the prosecution failed to establish its allegations and insists that the Vice President must be given the opportunity to answer the evidence presented against her.

The Senate impeachment court is expected to continue hearing the defense’s presentation in the coming days. The outcome will depend on how the senator-judges assess the evidence and arguments from both sides.