Camille Naredo

Citizen monitoring network Bantay Senado sets up a public viewing of the first day of VP Sara Duterte's impeachment trial in Barangay Krus na Ligas, Quezon City, July 6, 2026. Francis Orcio, ABS-CBN News


Article (news)

DUTERTE-IMPEACHMENT

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1783331603382HMh7jJabwAA3Tf5.jfif" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Citizen monitoring network Bantay Senado sets up a public viewing of the first day of VP Sara Duterte&#x27;s impeachment trial in Barangay Krus na Ligas, Quezon City, July 6, 2026. Francis Orcio, ABS-CBN News"/>Citizen monitoring network Bantay Senado sets up a public viewing of the first day of VP Sara Duterte&#x27;s impeachment trial in Barangay Krus na Ligas, Quezon City, July 6, 2026. Francis Orcio, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA -- A citizen monitoring network held a public viewing in Barangay Krus na Ligas, Quezon City, on Monday as the Senate began the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.Bantay Senado set up a LED screen and rows of chairs to allow residents and other members of the public to follow the proceedings. Organizers began preparing the viewing area shortly after 1 p.m.&quot;Simula ngayong araw na ito na pagbubukas ng impeachment trial, meron kaming public viewing. At sa mga susunod na araw, maglilipat-lipat kami ng iba&#x27;t ibang lugar para merong oportunidad iyong mga kababayan natin kahit busy sila, naghahanap-buhay, pwede silang sumaglit dito at tunghayan iyong nangyayari sa paglilitis,&quot; said political analyst Cleve Arguelles,  who is also the lead convenor of Bantay Senado.The group plans to hold similar events in churches, public markets and other community spaces as the trial continues, making the proceedings more accessible to Filipinos who may be unable to watch them at home or attend the hearings at the Senate.The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, began hearing the case against Duterte amid allegations that include the misuse of public funds, the accumulation of unexplained wealth and threats against senior government officials.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/6/senate-impeachment-court-elects-escudero-as-presiding-officer-1448">READ: Senate impeachment court elects Escudero as presiding officer</a></div>Duterte has denied wrongdoing and described the impeachment case as politically motivated. Her lawyers represented her during the opening of the trial.Arguelles said the community viewings would not merely broadcast the proceedings. Organizers and legal experts would also help participants understand legal motions, technical terms and other aspects of the trial that may be difficult for ordinary viewers to follow.&quot;Iyong impeachment trial kasi, bukod sa maaring busy iyong mga kababayan natin, hindi masundan, mahirap din talagang masundan dahil medyo legal siya, legal motions, legal jargons, kaya kailangan din na may kasama sila na habang nanonood may nagpapaliwanag din, para buong-buo na makasusunod sila doon sa proceedings,&quot; he said.Arguelles said sustained public attention was necessary to remind the senator-judges that their actions and decisions were being closely scrutinized.&quot;Kailangan makaramdam iyong ating senator-judges ng public pressure na sila ay binabantayan, naktutok po iyong mga kababayan natin. Dapat patas sila, walang kinikilingan, hindi political na interest iyong pagbabatayan ng pagpapasya,&quot; he added.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/6/in-opening-speech-luistro-says-prosecution-to-show-evidence-not-rumors-in-duterte-trial-1613">READ: Luistro says prosecution to show evidence, not rumors, in Duterte trial</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/6/in-opening-statement-defense-raises-sc-ruling-vs-duterte-impeachment-in-2025-1701">READ: In opening statement, defense raises SC ruling vs Duterte impeachment in 2025</a></div>Bantay Senado had earlier described the public as a key participant in the impeachment process and maintained that the Senate’s duty to conduct a fair and impartial trial was owed to every Filipino.Arguelles also expressed disappointment over Duterte’s absence on the trial’s opening day. He said Duterte should personally face the proceedings because the allegations directly concern her conduct and fitness to remain in office.&quot;Nakakadismaya, naririnig din natin dito na nakakadismaya para sa marami sa ating kababayan na hindi po humarap sa vice president. Iyong paglilitis naman ay para sa kanya. Siya po iyong nasasakdal dito, ipaliwanag niya po iyong hinahanap,&quot; Arguelles said.Arguelles added that appearing before the impeachment court would give Duterte an opportunity to respond directly to the accusations and demonstrate her respect for the constitutional process.&quot;Kung hindi po siya haharap, parang pagpapakita po iyon na hindi niya iginagalang iyong proseso, hindi niya iginagalang na ipinapatawag po siya ng ordinaryong mamamayan para magpaliwanag kung siya po ay karapat-dapat pa ring magpatuloy sa kanyang tungkulin,&quot; he said.Bantay Senado is composed of civil society organizations, academic institutions, lawyers and members of various communities. It was formed to monitor the impeachment proceedings and advocate for a process marked by transparency, fairness and fidelity to the Constitution.

A citizen monitoring network held a public viewing in Barangay Krus na Ligas, Quezon City, on Monday as the Senate began the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

A citizen monitoring network held a public viewing in Barangay Krus na Ligas, Quezon City, on Monday as the Senate began the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Citizen network holds public viewing of VP Duterte impeachment trial in QC

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Citizen network holds public viewing of VP Duterte impeachment trial in QC

Francis Orcio,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 06, 2026 05:55 PM PHT

Read More:

Vice President Sara Duterte

Duterte impeachment

Bantay Senado

Quezon City

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