Senate Court Drops Three Impeachment Charges Against Sara Duterte

The Senate impeachment court granted a request by House prosecutors on October 13, 2026, to drop three of the four impeachment articles against Sara Duterte. The trial will now proceed exclusively on Article II, which involves alleged unexplained wealth, unlawful business interests, and violations of the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.

The withdrawn charges included bribery and procurement irregularities, the alleged misuse of 612.5 million pesos in confidential funds, and threats made against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Presiding officer Senator Chiz Escudero ruled that the charges regarding confidential funds and threats were dropped with prejudice, preventing them from being refiled during the current term.

Lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro described the decision as the most judicious course to expedite the trial and save government resources. Defense counsel Shiela Sison strongly objected to the move, arguing that the withdrawal prevents the Vice President from rebutting evidence already presented in court. In response to the change, the court lifted the sub judice rule for the dropped articles, allowing the parties to discuss those specific allegations publicly.