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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider VP Sara says impeachment complaint 'lacks evidence' as Senate trial continues

VP Sara says impeachment complaint 'lacks evidence' as Senate trial continues

Duterte maintains the case against her is built on 'fiction, not facts' as her chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, prepares to testify before the Senate impeachment court

Published Jul 14, 2026 02:17 pm

At A Glance

  • Vice President Sara Duterte said the impeachment complaint against her is "not supported by evidence."
  • Defense spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa said Duterte was in Manila but had not confirmed whether she would attend Tuesday's hearing.
  • Duterte was expected to appear at the Senate to support her chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, who was scheduled to testify for the prosecution.
Vice President Sara Duterte maintains that the impeachment complaint against her lacks credible evidence as the Senate impeachment court continues its evidentiary proceedings. (Mark Balmores / Manila Bulletin/file)
Vice President Sara Duterte maintains that the impeachment complaint against her lacks credible evidence as the Senate impeachment court continues its evidentiary proceedings. (Mark Balmores / Manila Bulletin/file)
Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, July 14, maintained that the impeachment complaint filed against her is not supported by credible evidence as the Senate impeachment court continued its fifth day of trial.
In a statement released by the Office of the Vice President (OVP), Duterte reiterated her long-standing position that the allegations against her have failed to establish the claims contained in the impeachment complaint.
"On Day 4 of the impeachment trial, the country witnessed what I have been saying all along: the complaint is not supported by evidence," Duterte said.
The trial, which began on July 6, entered its fifth day on Tuesday, with the prosecution panel scheduled to present witnesses related to the fourth article of impeachment against Duterte, which accuses her of arranging an assassination plot against the President and his family, issuing grave threats, and inciting sedition.
Facts, not fiction
Duterte criticized what she described as repeated attempts to portray threats that did not exist and to create a false narrative surrounding the allegations.
"Repeatedly claiming that there were threats when none existed, inventing an assassin where there was none, and fabricating evidence to support those claims does not transform fiction into fact," she said.
"Instead, such actions undermine the integrity of public institutions, erode public trust, waste public resources, and corrupt the search for truth," she added.
Duterte stressed that impeachment proceedings should be grounded in credible evidence rather than speculation or unsupported accusations.
"An impeachment proceeding should be grounded in credible evidence, not speculation, manufactured narratives, or unsupported allegations," she said. "The rule of law depends on facts, not fiction."
Possible attendance
Earlier in the day, defense spokesperson lawyer Michael Poa said Duterte was in Manila but had yet to confirm whether she would personally attend the hearing because of various commitments.
Poa said the Vice President was expected to appear before the Senate to support her chief of staff, who was scheduled to testify as a prosecution witness.
The Senate impeachment court entered the evidentiary phase last week, with both the prosecution and defense presenting witnesses and documentary evidence before the senator-judges.
Duterte has repeatedly denied the allegations against her, describing the impeachment complaint as politically motivated.
A conviction in an impeachment trial requires the votes of at least two-thirds of the Senate, or 16 of the 24 senator-judges. 

Related Tags

VPSaraOntrial Sara Duterte impeachment trial Sara Duterte statement Zuleika Lopez witness Senate impeachment court Vice President Sara Duterte news VP Sara Duterte
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