Visitors to Sara Duterte impeachment trial at Senate may start registering July 5

Members of the public who wish to personally attend the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate may register online starting 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 5, 2026, Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. said.

Visitors will now be allowed at the Senate under the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA)'s Visitor Management System (VMS), an initiative placed to ensure the safety of senators and their personnel, media, visitors, and the public.

“Yan po ay online. Naglabas kami ng link at ng QR code na pwedeng gamitin ng ating kababayan para makapag-rehistro at makapanood ng impeachment trial,” Bantug told Super Radyo dzBB.

(It is an online system. We have released a link and QR code that our countrymen can use to register and watch the impeachment trial.)

“Doon sa 151 (seats in the Senate session hall), ‘yung 45 doon ay ‘yung prosecution ang puwedeng mag-imibita, ‘yung 45 sa defense at ‘yung 61 sa general public,” he added.

(Of the 151 seats in the Senate session hall, 45 will be invited by the prosecution, 45 will be from the defense, and 61 will be from the general public.)

The Senate was placed under heightened alert status on June 9 in response to alleged security threats. In a memorandum, Gatchalian temporarily suspended the visitation policy and implemented heightened security measures and preventive safety protocols in the Senate.

The House of Representatives impeached Duterte in May over allegations of culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes.

On June 1, Duterte’s camp filed its answer to the Articles of Impeachment and asked the impeachment court to dismiss the case.

No word yet from VP

Bantug also said Duterte’s defense team has yet to convey whether the Vice President will attend Monday’s impeachment trial but pointed out that she is not obliged to do so.

“Sa ngayon, wala pang pasabi ang mga defense counsel kung dadalo ang ating Bise President bukas,” Bantug said.

(For now, the Vice President’s defense counsel has yet to inform us if she will attend the impeachment trial.)

“Sa rules ng ating impeachment trial, hindi obligado ang ating Pangalawang Pangulo na pumunta sa impeachment trial bukas,” he added.

(Under the impeachment trial rules, the Vice President is not obliged to attend the impeachment trial tomorrow.)

Meanwhile, the public can expect that Monday’s trial will be attended by the prosecution and defense lawyers, which will be recorded before the impeachment court.

“Tayo naman ay handa na sa pagbubukas ng impeachment trial bukas,” Bantug said. “Kami naman ay kumpiyansa na maayos ang ating seguridad.”

(We are prepared with the opening of the impeachment trial tomorrow. We are confident with the security in place.)

“Lahat ng preparasyon sa tingin ko naman ay nagampanan na namin at nailatag natin para maging smooth ‘yung ating paglilitis bukas,” he added.

(I believe we have made all the necessary preparations and laid the groundwork to ensure that tomorrow's hearing proceeds smoothly.) —RF, GMA News