The Senate impeachment court continues the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte today, September 28, 2026, marking its 30th day, as it tackles Article II of the Articles of Impeachment concerning alleged “Unexplained Wealth, False SALNs, and Continued Business Interests.”
The defense is expected to conduct its cross-examination of prosecution witness Rendell Sopeña, Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) division chief, following his direct testimony on government contracts awarded to GenCorp Industries Inc.
Impeachment trial enters day 30
The 30th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial begins with fifteen senators serving as senator-judges attend the proceedings.
Senator Imee Marcos leads the opening prayer before the session officially begins.
Diokno says admission request aims to speed up impeachment trial
House prosecutor Chel Diokno says their request for admission aims to make the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte more organized and efficient.
He says the request seeks to identify the issues that are genuinely disputed and avoid spending the court’s time on matters that can be admitted or are not controversial.
Diokno says admission request does not violate Duterte’s rights
House prosecutor Chel Diokno says their request for admission does not violate Vice President Sara Duterte’s right against self-incrimination.
He says they are not asking Duterte to admit to any wrongdoing or liability, but only to recognize documents submitted by banks pursuant to subpoenas issued by the impeachment court.
Diokno says the request covers matters that are not genuinely disputed during the trial.
Sison says defense will no longer quibble over admission request
Defense lead counsel Sheila Sison responds to House prosecutor Chel Diokno’s arguments on the request for admission.
Sison says the defense will no longer “quibble” with Diokno’s arguments.
She cites the prosecution’s statement that it is willing to withdraw the request for admission in exchange for a stipulation.
Sison urges prosecution to propose stipulations at appropriate time
Defense lead counsel Sheila Sison says there is not enough time to consider the prosecution’s proposed stipulations because bank documents have yet to be marked.
She says additional documents are still scheduled for marking, leaving the respondent and her lawyers insufficient time to review them.
Sison suggests that any proposal for stipulation be made at the appropriate time during the impeachment trial.
Batungbacal begins cross-examination of Sopeña
Defense lawyer Roberto Batungbacal begins his cross-examination of Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System Division Chief Rendell Sopeña.
Sopeña says PhilGEPS does not determine irregularities in contracts
PhilGEPS Division Chief Rendell Sopeña says contract irregularities may be determined by the Commission on Audit, as oversight and compliance are not within PhilGEPS’ mandate.
The defense points out that Sopeña has no personal knowledge of the GenCorp contracts or whether they were awarded regularly or irregularly.
Sopeña says 11 GenCorp contracts did not undergo public bidding
PhilGEPS Division Chief Rendell Sopeña says 11 of the 15 contracts awarded by the Davao City local government to GenCorp Industries Inc. did not undergo public bidding.
He says the contracts, worth roughly P7 million to P8 million, were processed through small-value procurement and negotiated bidding.
Sopeña made the disclosure after Senator-Judge Risa Hontiveros asked about the contracts.
Tulfo asks about possible conflict of interest in GenCorp contracts
Senator-Judge Raffy Tulfo asks whether there was a conflict of interest in GenCorp’s participation in Davao City bidding, given Vice President Sara Duterte’s reported involvement in the company and her brother’s previous position as city mayor.
The prosecution says GenCorp should not have participated in Davao City bidding if Duterte was a shareholder of the company.
It argues that such participation could raise a conflict-of-interest issue under Article VII, Section 13 of the Constitution.
Sopeña says PhilGEPS does not have bidders’ conflict-of-interest affidavits
PhilGEPS Division Chief Rendell Sopeña says sworn affidavits from bidders concerning conflicts of interest are not visible in the PhilGEPS system, in response to a question from Senate President Win Gatchalian.
Sopeña also clarifies that determining whether the prices of procured products are reasonable or excessive is not part of PhilGEPS’ duties.
He says PhilGEPS primarily serves as a repository for documents submitted by procuring entities.
Sopeña says PhilGEPS records do not show Duterte’s role in GenCorp
PhilGEPS Division Chief Rendell Sopeña says their records do not indicate whether Vice President Sara Duterte was an officer, director, shareholder, or beneficial owner of GenCorp at the time of each transaction, in response to Senator-Judge Imee Marcos.
Sopeña also says he has no personal knowledge of whether Duterte participated in preparing or submitting bids.
He likewise has no personal knowledge of whether Duterte negotiated any of the contracts.
Escudero jokes about Abante appearing sleepy during trial
A brief exchange of jokes takes place during the impeachment trial after Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero reminds Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. that he appears tired while seated behind the witness.
Escudero asks fellow lawmakers to gently nudge Abante and suggests he rest somewhere other than behind the witness.
House lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro jokes that Abante is “praying for us,” prompting Escudero to quip that he doubts it before Luistro adds that Abante is praying for the prosecution.
Escudero grants Baste Duterte’s request to move trial appearance
Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero grants Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte’s request to move his appearance before the impeachment trial to September 29 and 30.
The adjustment gives Duterte more time to prepare and organize the documents required under the subpoena.
Escudero also clarifies that the appearance is already covered by the previous subpoena, so no new subpoena is necessary.
Sangalang takes oath as new prosecution witness
PMaj. Jericson Sangalang appears before the impeachment court and takes his oath as a new prosecution witness
Sangalang is sworn in before the impeachment court goes into recess.
Prosecution presents Sangalang’s testimony offer on firearms records
House prosecutor Rep. Ysabel Zamora presents the offer of testimony of PMaj. Jericson Sangalang concerning Firearms and Explosives Office records on firearm licenses and ownership.
The prosecution says the testimony aims to establish that Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband both hold Type 5 Licenses to Own and Possess Firearms and are classified as “Certified Gun Collectors.”
The prosecution also says the couple reportedly owns more than 50 firearms with a combined value of at least ₱7 million.
Zamora begins direct examination of Sangalang
House prosecutor Rep. Ysabel Zamora begins the direct examination of PMaj. Jericson Sangalang
Sangalang is a new prosecution witness presented before the impeachment court.
His testimony focuses on records from the Firearms and Explosives Office.
22 firearms registered under VP Sara’s name
A total of 22 firearms are registered under Vice President Sara Duterte’s name, based on Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Office records presented by PMaj. Jericson Sangalang.
The firearms include 14 pistols, two revolvers, five rifles, and one shotgun.
Sangalang says three of the five rifles are classified as Class A light weapons with automatic function.
29 firearms registered under Carpio’s name
PMaj. Jericson Sangalang says 29 firearms are registered under the name of Atty. Manases “Mans” Carpio, the husband of Vice President Sara Duterte.
The firearms include 16 pistols, two revolvers, one shotgun, and 10 rifles.
Sangalang adds that one of Carpio’s rifles is classified as a Class A light weapon, while one of his firearms has an expired registration.
Firearms registered to Duterte, Carpio valued at ₱7.2 million
PMaj. Jericson Sangalang testifies that the firearms registered under the names of Vice President Sara Duterte and Atty. Manases “Mans” Carpio have a combined value of ₱7,220,370.
The amount covers the firearms listed in Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Office records.
Sangalang unsure if Duterte’s Winchester rifle dates back to World War II
PMaj. Joericson Sangalang says he cannot determine the exact age of a Winchester rifle registered under Vice President Sara Duterte’s name.
Asked by Senate President Win Gatchalian about the firearm, Sangalang says it may date back to World War II but admits he is not certain.
Trial adjourned
The 30th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial is formally adjourned
The impeachment court concludes its proceedings for the day.
