LIVE UPDATES: Impeachment trial of VP Sara Duterte | July 20, 2026

The Senate impeachment court granted prosecutors access to VP Sara Duterte’s bank, tax, and Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) records.

Senator-judge Robinhood Padilla opposed the impeachment court’s decision to subpoena Vice President Sara Duterte’s financial and tax records.

Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team on Monday said it “anticipated” the Senate impeachment court’s decision to issue subpoenas.

The Senate Impeachment Court’s decision to grant the prosecution’s request for a subpoena on some of Vice President Sara Duterte’s…

The Senate impeachment court granted the prosecution's request for subpoenas covering Vice President Sara Duterte's bank, BIR, and AMLC records in relation to the unexplained wealth charge under Article II. Here are key developments on Day 7 and what's next in the trial.… pic.twitter.com/CTFbTOpzSa

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 20, 2026

The impeachment court ruled against the inclusion of foreign-currency deposits of Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband.

Sen. Rodante Marcoleta has submitted a letter of manifestation to the Senate impeachment court, asking to have his vote…

The issuance of the subpoena for the tax records of the vice president is “the order that will set things in motion” but does not…

Senate Impeachment Court rejects defense bid to block subpoena for AMLC report on Vice President Sara Duterte’s financial transactions.

Presiding Officer Francis Escudero asked the defense about VP Sara Duterte and Manases Carpio’s year of marriage and property regime before ruling on the prosecution’s subpoena requests.The defense said the couple married in 2007 and, with no prenuptial agreement, their… pic.twitter.com/gG64mH2cXP

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 20, 2026

“I do not have four years of law, but I have 29 years of lawmaking”Senator Vicente Sotto III tells Senator Alan Peter Cayetano before moving matters unrelated to the impeachment trial be referred to the Senate proper, instead of being taken up by the impeachment court.… pic.twitter.com/Ap5jjCX1Y4

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 20, 2026

The impeachment court on Monday denied the prosecution’s request to subpoena bank and tax records of two of the companies associated with VP.

House prosecutor Chel Diokno joins Inquirer.net Neil Mercado in an interview following the impeachment court’s ruling.

"This is not the time for us to defend ourselves.”Senator Erwin Tulfo urged the impeachment court to stay focused on the case against Vice President Sara Duterte, saying the proceedings should not be used by senator-judges to defend themselves or address issues unrelated to the… pic.twitter.com/rLb63ZQpOk

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 20, 2026

‘GANITO RIN BA ANG GINAWA NILA NUNG MAY IMPEACHMENT KAY PRESIDENT BONGBONG MARCOS’Senator-judge Robin Padilla explains his objection to the Senate impeachment court’s ruling to grant the request to subpoena the financial records of Vice President Sara Duterte, questioning the… pic.twitter.com/5wzYsLEDC8

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 20, 2026

‘WE ARE NOT JUST GUESSING THAT THERE IS SOMETHING THERE’House Prosecutor Rep. Chel Diokno disputed the “fishing expedition” claims of Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team, asserting that they have a basis for requesting to issue a subpoena for Duterte’s bank and tax… pic.twitter.com/e4evT3PdRf

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 20, 2026

The Senate court needs Vice President Sara Duterte’s financial records to rule whether she has unexplained wealth, says Rep. Chel Diokno.

“WHY IN THE CASE OF PRESIDENT MARCOS IS THE ‘KATOTOHANAN’ CONFIDENTIAL, BUT IN THE CASE OF VP SARA IT'S NOT CONFIDENTIAL?”Senator-judge Alan Peter Cayetano questioned the fairness of requiring Vice President Sara Duterte to submit extensive documents without applying the same… pic.twitter.com/PZSxDUsFpd

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 20, 2026

Defense counsel Michael Poa and House prosecutor Chel Diokno debated anew over whether subpoenas seeking Vice President…

MANILA, Philippines— The Senate impeachment court on Monday granted the House prosecution panel’s request to subpoena the financial records of Vice President Sara Duterte, her husband, Manases Carpio, and their businesses

LOOK: House prosecutors and defense attorneys present oral arguments before the Senate impeachment court during Day 7 of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on July 20.The senator-judges debated a highly contested motion by the House prosecution panel… pic.twitter.com/ugOHWn7Ldz

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 20, 2026

SUBPOENA GRANTEDBREAKING: Presiding Officer Francis Escudero grants the subpoenas for VP Sara Duterte’s bank, BIR, and AMLC records, finding that the requested documents meet the requirements of relevance and definiteness under the Rules of Court.The court said the records… pic.twitter.com/LcqLeXx0uk

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 20, 2026

Senator-judge Pia Cayetano questioned both the prosecution and the defense on two legal concepts that surfaced in arguments over subpoenas for Vice President Sara Duterte's bank, BIR, and AMLC records: "fishing expedition" and the "fruit of the poisonous tree" doctrine.… pic.twitter.com/fmZIymkPC7

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 20, 2026

‘PALAYAIN NIYO KAMI SA PAGMAMAYABANG’Before the proceedings began, Senator-judge Risa Hontiveros led the opening prayer during Day 7 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.She prayed for the senator-judges to be freed from arrogance and prejudice, asking for clear… pic.twitter.com/DvXZIx4HUV

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 20, 2026

‘AN INJUSTICE TO THE VICE PRESIDENT’Senator-judge Erwin Tulfo called for the discussion to remain focused on the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, urging fellow senator-judges to avoid using the proceedings to explain or defend themselves on unrelated matters.… pic.twitter.com/YsF8NhRQaT

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 20, 2026

Senator-judge Alan Peter Cayetano questioned House prosecutor Chel Diokno on whether the Supreme Court's ruling in Duterte v. House of Representatives requires impeachable acts to have been committed during the respondent's term as an impeachable officer.Diokno argued that the… pic.twitter.com/7K4Wdxq4CI

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 20, 2026

Defense counsel Michael Poa reiterated that the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is a “fishing expedition” since there is still no relevant evidence found in her records. #VPonTrialFollow our live updates here: https://t.co/xf0W35ReuCWatch the live stream… pic.twitter.com/wKkFEX5zVt

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 20, 2026

Responding to Senator-judge Pia Cayetano's question, House prosecutor Chel Diokno argued that the prosecution's request for Vice President Sara Duterte's bank, BIR, and AMLC records is not a "fishing expedition."Diokno argued that the impeachment complaint sufficiently alleges… pic.twitter.com/3YAyylndvX

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 20, 2026

Erwin Tulfo calls out Robin Padilla for discussing his own obstruction of justice case during Duterte trial proceeding.

Sen. Francis Escudero ruled that issues unrelated to VP Duterte trial would be discussed when the Senate resumes its regular session.

Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña said Monday that Vice President Sara Duterte faces certain conviction alone based on evidence in her impeachment hearings.

‘I DO NOT HAVE 4 YEARS OF LAW, BUT I HAVE 29 YEARS OF LAWMAKING’Senator-judge Alan Peter Cayetano underscored the importance of accurate legal terminology, while Senator-judge Vicente Sotto III, who said that he does not have a law degree but 29 years of lawmaking experience,… pic.twitter.com/aHybOQRsJW

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 20, 2026

Senator-judge Pia Cayetano asked why the prosecution's request for Vice President Sara Duterte's bank, BIR, and AMLC records should or should not be considered a "fishing expedition."Defense counsel Michael Poa argued that the impeachment complaint failed to allege the… pic.twitter.com/dG9yrTEcz6

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 20, 2026

Defense counsel Michael Poa maintained that while the defense is "not against transparency" or accountability, the confidentiality of AMLC reports is protected by law and cannot simply be set aside."We are not against transparency. We are not against accountability… In the… pic.twitter.com/jSR0WUALoH

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 20, 2026

Both the prosecution and the defense agreed that issuing a subpoena only compels the production of records. It does not, by itself, determine whether those records are admissible as evidence or what evidentiary weight they should be given.Diokno cited the Corona impeachment… pic.twitter.com/OIfSBz0z3j

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 20, 2026

Senator-judge Vicente Sotto III moved that the manifestations made by senator-judges on matters unrelated to the impeachment trial be referred to the Senate proper."I do not have four years of law, but I have 29 years of lawmaking, and I move that the manifestations of that we… pic.twitter.com/NtS7qjhATL

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 20, 2026

‘WE WASTED 26 MINUTES FOR NOTHING’LOOK: Senator-judge Erwin Tulfo pushes to finally begin the impeachment trial after a series of manifestations on Monday, July 20. #VPonTrialFollow our live updates here: https://t.co/xf0W35ReuCWatch the live stream here:… pic.twitter.com/gzZ3RSWd42

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 20, 2026

Senator-judge Alan Peter Cayetano defended discussions about issues affecting the integrity of the impeachment court, arguing that they are relevant to the proceedings. "The integrity of the court and the justices or judges is always relevant," Cayetano says. #VPonTrial |… pic.twitter.com/srNMYpZUwm

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 20, 2026

‘NAGAGAMIT ANG ORAS PARA SA PAGTATANGGOL NG SARILI’Senator-judge Erwin Tulfo calls out some senators’ use of the impeachment trial “to defend themselves.”“Di po ba ang korte na ‘to ay naitatag para kay Vice President lamang?” Tulfo asked. “This is not the right forum, right… pic.twitter.com/uedRbmHYRX

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 20, 2026

‘AKO DAW PO AY HINDI SUMUSUNOD SA BATAS’Senator-judge Robin Padilla delivers a manifestation on the seventh day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on “ignoring” the summons of the Office of the Ombudsman to respond to the complaint filed against him over alleged… pic.twitter.com/Nqn9kNLJqL

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 20, 2026

LOOK: Senato-judge Risa Hontiveros leads the opening prayer on the seventh day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial. #VPonTrialFollow our live updates here: https://t.co/xf0W35ReuCWatch the live stream here: https://t.co/AvDEVjEBFp pic.twitter.com/2EikdrJ1Oa

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 20, 2026

House prosecutor Rep. Keith Flores discusses the latest developments in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Youth group Spark on Monday urged the senator-judges in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial to subpoena her bank and tax records.

Sara Duterte’s defense team holds a press briefing ahead of the resumption of Day 7 of her impeachment trial.

The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, resumes Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on its seventh day.

The House prosecution panel holds a press briefing Monday ahead of the Day 7 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.

In Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Monday, the court will decide whether to issue a subpoena for her tax and bank records.

WATCH: Multisectoral groups call for the unveiling of VP Sara Duterte’s bank and tax records ahead of the seventh day of Duterte’s impeachment trial. #VPonTrial | @keithcINQ READ MORE: https://t.co/aZgNmRoQwLWatch the live stream here: https://t.co/AvDEVjF9uX pic.twitter.com/Q2njhAqMeH

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 20, 2026

Representive Terry Ridon talks about ‘Mary Grace Piattos,’ and what if she does not exist, and then who got the money?

House prosecutors expressed confidence that the Senate court would vote in favor of their request to subpoena VP’s financial records.