Jaehwa Bernardo

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian delivers his opening remarks as the Senate convenes as an impeachment court for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on July 6, 2026. Screenshot from ABS-CBN News.

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Gatchalian vows 'impartial justice' as Duterte impeachment trial in Senate starts

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1783319437174Screenshot 2026-07-06 142010.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian delivers his opening remarks as the Senate convenes as an impeachment court for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on July 6, 2026. Screenshot from ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA — Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said Monday that the upper chamber would uphold &quot;impartial justice&quot; as it commenced the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.In his opening statement, Gatchalian said senators acting as judges should base their decisions on the Constitution, Philippine laws, the rules of the impeachment court and the evidence presented, without bias toward any party.&quot;Sa pagtupad natin sa tungkuling ito (impeachment trial), malinaw ang panata na ating sinumpaan: to do impartial justice according to the Constitution and the laws of the Philippines,&quot; he said.(As we fulfill this duty, the pledge we have made is clear:  to do impartial justice according to the Constitution and the laws of the Philippines.) &quot;Ibig sabihin nito, ang bawat pasya natin ay dapat nakabatay lamang sa Saligang Batas, sa ating mga batas, sa mga alituntunin ng hukumang ito at sa mga ebidensyang ihaharap na walang kinikilingan at walang pinapanigan.&quot;(That means each of our decisions should only be based in the Constitution, on our laws, on the rules of this court, and the evidence before us wihtout bias.)Gatchalian said Filipinos have the right to know whether there is truth to the allegations against Duterte, who has been accused of misusing government funds, possessing unexplained wealth, engaging in bribery, and making threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/6/five-things-to-know-about-the-vp-sara-duterte-and-her-impeachment-0949">READ: Five things to know about VP Sara Duterte and her impeachment </a></div>He stressed that as the Constitution vested senators with the authority to hear impeachment cases, they must carry out the proceedings with integrity, order and respect for the impeachment process.&quot;Sisiguraduhin natin na magiging maayos, bukas at madaling mauunawaan ng ating mga kababayan ang prosesong ito,&quot; he said.(We will make sure that the process will be orderly, open, and easily understood by the people.)Gatchalian said both the prosecution and the defense would be given ample and fair opportunities to present evidence, question witnesses, and make their arguments.He urged fellow senator-judges: &quot;Nawa&#x27;y tuparin natin ang ating tungkulin na may dangal at pananagutan sa ating Konstitusyon upang maging karapat-dapat tayo sa tiwalang ipinagkaloob sa atin ng sambayanang Pilipino.&quot;(May we fulfill our duty with dignity and with fidelity to the Constitution that we will be worthy of the trust that the Filipino people have given us.)Duterte did not attend the opening day of her impeachment trial.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/6/duterte-says-impeachment-trial-attendance-a-matter-of-legal-strategy-1314">READ: Duterte to skip start of Senate impeachment trial</a></div>

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said Monday that the upper chamber would uphold "impartial justice" as it commenced the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said Monday that the upper chamber would uphold "impartial justice" as it commenced the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Gatchalian vows 'impartial justice' as Duterte impeachment trial starts at Senate

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Gatchalian vows 'impartial justice' as Duterte impeachment trial starts at Senate

Jaehwa Bernardo,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 06, 2026 02:44 PM PHT

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Updated July 06, 2026 05:29 PM PHT

Read More:

Senate

Sherwin Gatchalian

Sara Duterte impeachment trial

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