Three Charges Withdrawn, but Vice-President’s Impeachment Continues

The Philippine Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, approved the withdrawal of most of the charges against Vice-President Sara Duterte on Tuesday (13 October 2026). The decision leaves the impeachment process focused on one main allegation, as Duterte seeks to preserve her prospects of running in the 2028 presidential election.

Since July, prosecutors have presented evidence relating to several accusations against Duterte. She has been accused of betraying public trust, possessing wealth of unexplained origin, violating the Constitution, and committing corruption, bribery and other serious offences.

Reuters reported that lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro told the court on Tuesday that the prosecution was seeking to withdraw three of the four charges. The allegation of unexplained wealth is therefore the only case left for senators to decide.

Luistro stressed that the evidence already presented by prosecutors was “substantial and compelling” enough to justify Duterte’s removal from office.

The three withdrawn charges concerned the alleged misuse of confidential funds, bribery, and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the First Lady and a former Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Luistro said concentrating on a single charge would significantly narrow the issues the court must consider. She said the move would also offer practical benefits to the Senate, the defendant and the public.

Duterte’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Her lawyer, however, said the decision was unfair, arguing that withdrawing some of the charges would deprive the defence of the opportunity to respond to allegations no longer being pursued.

Earlier, the impeachment court ruled that only senators attending the trial would be counted in the vote to determine whether Duterte was guilty. The ruling makes it easier to reach the two-thirds majority required for a conviction.

If convicted, Duterte could lose the right to run for public office, including in the 2028 Philippine presidential election.