2026/7/6 20:06 (Updated at 7/6 20:21) Please agree to our privacy policy to enable the news listening function. Vice President of the Philippines Sara. Duterte’s impeachment trial officially began in the Senate on the 6th. 21 of the 24 senators attended and wore ceremonial robes to serve as impeachment judges. (Provided by the Philippine Senate) Fax from Central News Agency reporter Lin Xingjian in Manila, July 6, 2015 (Central News Agency reporter Lin Xingjian’s special cable from Manila on July 6). Due to accusations of abusing confidential funds and issuing assassination threats against President Marcos Jr., Philippine Vice President Sara. Duterte’s impeachment trial begins today in the Senate. The president of the impeachment court announced that if any of the grounds for impeachment of Sarah are to be established, it must be supported by at least 2/3 of the 24 senators, that is, 16 votes to convict. The House of Representatives voted in May to impeach Sarah. Sara Duterte sent the impeachment case to the Senate, which formed an impeachment court to try it. According to the grounds for impeachment, Sala was charged with misusing confidential funds, bribing government officials, issuing assassination threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and possessing wealth from unknown sources. The Philippine Senate opened the impeachment trial today. 21 of the 24 senators attended and wore ceremonial robes to serve as impeachment judges. Former Senate President Francis Escudero was elected as the president of the impeachment court. The three senators who were unable to attend were Ronald dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and is in hiding, and Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta, who are imprisoned on suspicion of corruption. Escudero explained at the opening of the court that according to the relevant provisions of the Constitution, if any of the grounds for impeachment faced by Sala is to be established, 2/3 of all senators must vote in favor, that is, 16 votes. In his speech, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian reminded senators and judges that the Senate has the responsibility to carefully weigh all evidence without being affected by bias or partisanship, and to ensure that the final decision is based on law and facts. Rep. Gerville Luistro, who serves as the lead prosecutor for the House of Representatives, said in his opening statement that prosecutors will present evidence required by the Constitution, not rumors, speculation, political propaganda or social media narratives. Sarah did not appear in person but was represented by a 16-member legal team. The defense’s lead lawyer, Sheila Sison, reminded that impeachment should not be reduced to a tool of political struggle to suppress or humiliate senior government officials and affect their performance of duties. On the first day of the impeachment trial, the court proceedings and the opening statements of both the prosecutor and the defense will be completed. Subsequently, it will enter the stages of presenting evidence and questioning witnesses. After both parties have completed the presentation of evidence and closing arguments, the senators will vote on each of the grounds for impeachment one by one. If Sarah is found guilty of any of the grounds for impeachment, she will be immediately removed from the position of vice president; the Senate may also decide separately to permanently disqualify her from holding any public office. As for whether the relevant charges involve criminal or civil liability, they will be handled separately by the judicial authorities after the impeachment proceedings are completed. (Editor: Tian Ruihua) 1150706 Support the Central News Agency’s choice to stand with the facts. Every donation you make is a small amount of support to protect press freedom. Download the Central News Agency’s “First-hand News” APP to get the latest news in real time. The text, pictures and audio and video of this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.
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President of the Philippine Vice President’s impeachment trial: Conviction must cross the 2/3 threshold of the Senate | International | Central News Agency CNA
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