The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, hold oral arguments on the disputed voting threshold in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay City on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — The Senate impeachment court said Friday that it was “fully prepared to defend” its ruling lowering the number of votes needed for a conviction in Vice President Sara Duterte’s trial.
The Senate has yet to receive a copy of two petitions filed before the Supreme Court against the ruling, impeachment court spokesperson Reginald Tongol said.
“The Senate deeply respects the jurisdiction and independence of the Supreme Court,” Tongol said in a statement.
“Should the High Court give due course to these petitions and require the Senate’s comment, its legal counsel, in coordination with the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), is fully prepared to defend the constitutional prerogatives and procedural rulings of the Impeachment Court,” he added.
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In the absence of a restraining order or status quo ante order from the SC, the impeachment trial “will proceed as scheduled on Monday, September 28, 2026 from 10:00 am up to 3:00 pm," Tongol said.
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Meanwhile, Tongol revealed that the defense filed a formal objection to the prosecution's request for admission under oath regarding decades of bank, tax, and business records.
"The Respondent argued that an impeachment trial is penal in nature, and they are invoking the constitutional right against self-incrimination along with marital and filial privileges,” Tongol said.
“The Impeachment Court will review this submission and issue a formal ruling on the floor."
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Tongol said the next set of witnesses to be presented by the prosecution as reflected in their request for subpoena include Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura, and PhilGEPS Division Chief Rendell Sopeña, among others.
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