LIVE UPDATES: Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial (July 22, 2026)

The impeachment court will continue to discuss Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment, which charges Vice President Sara Duterte with “Assassination Plot, Grave Threats and Inciting to Sedition Against the President."

On Day 9 of the impeachment trial, Duterte’s defense team will continue its cross-examination of NBI Director Melvin Matibag, citing new documents such as the statement of alleged DDS hitman Arturo Lascanas. The court approved their request and granted a continuance.

Matibag is expected to defend the agency’s findings, as he said a threat to Marcos’ life constitutes a threat to national security. He also said Duterte’s remarks are no longer a threat but a “confession."

Vice President Sara Duterte’s travels abroad will not affect the House prosecution panel’s ongoing presentation of the articles of impeachment against her, its spokesperson said.

House prosecution spokesperson and Lanao Del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said that while Malacañang has the discretion to approve or deny the vice president's request for travel authority, her travel would not affect the prosecution panel's presentation of its case.

The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte proceeded Tuesday with National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag testifying on Article IV, referring to the supposed grave threat and assassination plot against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his family.

As this developed, lawyer Michael Poa, one of the defense counsels, said the Vice President is currently in The Hague after securing a travel authority from the government.

Some senator-judges have expressed reservations about the ruling of the Senate impeachment court to issue a subpoena for the bank, tax, and Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) records of Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio, beginning in 2007.

Impeachment court spokesperson Regie Tongol said this in a press conference on Tuesday, noting that Senator-Judges Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Loren Legarda, Imee Marcos, and Camille Villar have submitted separate manifestations regarding the subpoena.