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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Bloodied but unbowed': VP Sara Duterte arrives at Senate but skips Day 2 of impeachment trial

'Bloodied but unbowed': VP Sara Duterte arrives at Senate but skips Day 2 of impeachment trial

Duterte's camp said her Senate visit was for a meeting with the defense team, not for a personal appearance at the impeachment hearing

Published Jul 7, 2026 01:45 pm

At A Glance

  • VP Sara Duterte went to the Senate to meet with her defense team, but will not attend the Day 2 hearing.
  • Duterte said she would remain "blooded but unbowed" amid the impeachment proceedings.
  • The Senate impeachment court is set to enter the evidentiary stage, with House prosecutors expected to present witnesses and documents.
Vice President Sara Duterte arrived at the Senate on July 7, 2026, for a meeting with her defense team, but will not personally attend the second day of her impeachment trial. (Mark Balmores / Manila Bulletin)
Vice President Sara Duterte arrived at the Senate on July 7, 2026, for a meeting with her defense team, but will not personally attend the second day of her impeachment trial. (Mark Balmores / Manila Bulletin)
Vice President Sara Duterte arrived at the Senate on Tuesday, July 7, for a scheduled meeting with her defense team, but will not personally attend the second day of her impeachment trial.
Duterte said she would remain “blooded but unbowed” amid what she described as a political assault against her.
“In this bloodbath and bludgeoning, I will be blooded but unbowed,” Duterte said in a brief statement to the media.
READ: 
https://mb.com.ph/2026/07/06/vp-sara-presidents-opinion-has-no-importance-in-impeachment-proceedings
Duterte meets defense team at Senate, to skip impeachment hearing
Defense spokesperson lawyer Michael Poa earlier said Duterte’s visit to the Senate was limited to a meeting with her lawyers, who were already at the venue for the resumption of proceedings before the Senate impeachment court.
“The VP is coming, but she’s only here to have a meeting with us. She will not be attending the trial,” Poa said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Poa said Duterte had several official engagements scheduled for the day and would continue carrying out her duties while coordinating with her defense team.
“She has engagements today, tuloy-tuloy ang trabaho ni VP (the VP’s work continues),” Poa said. “Marami siyang mga engagements, so meron lang kaming (She has many engagements, so we just have a) scheduled meeting,” he added.
Asked why Duterte went to the Senate despite not intending to attend the second day of her trial, Poa said she chose to meet with her lawyers there because it was more convenient for the defense team.
“Kasi nandito yung defense, alam mo naman si VP mas gusto niya kung saan mas convenient sa amin (Because the defense is here, and you know the VP prefers wherever it is more convenient for us),” Poa added.
The Senate impeachment court is scheduled to resume proceedings at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, moving into the evidentiary stage after adjourning on July 6 following the opening statements of the House prosecution panel and Duterte’s defense team.
Impeachment trial: Day 2 
House prosecutors are set to begin presenting witnesses and documentary evidence in support of the impeachment charges against Duterte.
READ: 
https://mb.com.ph/2026/07/07/sheila-sison-in-spotlight-as-vp-sara-duterte-impeachment-trial-enters-day-2
The allegations include the misuse of public funds, unexplained wealth, and threats against key government officials.
The defense team earlier said it was prepared to cross-examine prosecution witnesses once the trial entered the presentation-of-evidence stage.
During the opening statements, Duterte’s lawyers maintained that the impeachment case was politically motivated. Prosecutors, meanwhile, argued that the proceedings were necessary to establish accountability.
A conviction and Duterte’s removal from office require the concurrence of at least two-thirds of the Senate impeachment court. 
RELATED STORY: 
https://mb.com.ph/2026/07/06/sheila-sison-challenges-prosecution-as-vp-sara-duterte-impeachment-trial-begins

Related Tags

VP Sara Duterte Sara Duterte impeachment trial Senate impeachment court Michael Poa Day 2 impeachment trial
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