LIVE UPDATES: Sara Duterte impeachment trial | Sept. 15, 2026

Senator-judge Lito Lapid drew laughs during the Duterte impeachment trial after making a rare interjection, recalling a lawyer he saw in a TV interview who said no politician or government employee would submit a truthful SALN. “Sabi niya, isang kalokohan ’yan kung magsasabi sila nang totoo. Tama po ba ‘yon?” he asked. Ombudsman Records Division OIC Karen Batu laughed and replied: “Ako po, nagsa-submit ng totoong SALN ko, Your Honor.” #VPonTrial Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/mw8M040Rkc Watch our livestream here: https://t.co/yDSQjDSi0A

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 15, 2026

Senator-judge Sherwin Gatchalian raises the possibility that Vice President Sara Duterte’s declared net worth is undervalued, saying that there is no listed acquisition costs despite declaring corporations in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) Ombudsman records division OIC Karen Batu says she cannot make the same inference, reiterating that the Office of the Ombudsman is merely a repository agency. Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/mw8M041p9K Watch our livestream here: https://t.co/yDSQjDSPQ8

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 15, 2026

Vice President Sara Duterte’s declared wealth rose from P7.25 million in 2007 to P98.656 million in 2025, based on her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) presented during the impeachment trial on September 15. #VPonTrial Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/mw8M041p9K Watch our livestream here: https://t.co/yDSQjDSPQ8

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 15, 2026

Ombudsman Records Division OIC Karen Batu testifies on the content of Vice President Sara Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) on Day 25 of the impeachment trial. Here are the highlights from the September 15 proceedings.#VPonTrial Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/mw8M040Rkc Watch our livestream here: https://t.co/yDSQjDSi0A

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 15, 2026

What’s the difference between hidden, unexplained and ill-gotten wealth? The Senate impeachment court is now hearing the allegations against Vice President Sara Duterte involving unexplained wealth, false SALNs, and non-divestment of business interests. The prosecution opened its presentation on these allegations by calling retired Sandiganbayan Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang to explain the relevant laws and legal concepts. #VPonTrial Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/mw8M041p9K Watch our livestream here: https://t.co/yDSQjDSPQ8

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 15, 2026

Sen. Lito Lapid on Tuesday sought clarification on the required filing of statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs).

There is a law that requires public officials to declare in their SALNs the foreign currency funds converted to local values.

Vice President Sara Duterte’s declared net worth rose by P91.4 million, or 1,260.7 percent, from 2007 to 2025, according to a witness’ records.

Lawyer James Bryan Ibrahim Alih is one of the private lawyers assisting the House prosecution panel in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial. On Day 25, Alih leads the direct examination of Ombudsman Records Division officer-in-charge Karen Batu, who was called by the prosecution to testify on the unexplained wealth charge against Duterte. #VPonTrial Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/mw8M041p9K Watch our livestream here: https://t.co/yDSQjDSPQ8

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 15, 2026

'KAHAPON INSULTO, NGAYON PALUSOT'Rep. Benny Abante called out defense counsel Atty. Mark Vinluan on Tuesday, Sept. 15, over his conduct toward former Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang, urging the defense to present Vice President Sara Duterte directly if they… pic.twitter.com/qMGLbAf441

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 15, 2026

‘PANONOORIN NIYO NA NAMAN AKO’ Senator-judge Lito Lapid makes his interjections at the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, seeking clarification on what should be included in the SALN and the penalty for not filing it. #VPonTrial Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/mw8M041p9K Watch our livestream here: https://t.co/yDSQjDSPQ8

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 15, 2026

The defense team, on Day 25 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, objects to the prosecution’s offer of testimony.

To expedite his examination, Alih then asked Batu to summarize what Duterte cash declaration was in the following years

MANILA, Philippines – On Tuesday, Day 25 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, the prosecution panel presents lawyer Karen Batu, officer-in-charge of the Records Division of the Office of the Ombudsman

The form for the SALN does not require public officials to list their acquisition costs for their business interests.

DAY 25 LOOK: Office of the Ombudsman Records Division officer-in-charge Atty. Karen Batu takes the witness stand during the 25th day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate in Pasay City on Tuesday, September 15. Batu was presented by the House prosecution panel to testify on Article II of the articles of impeachment, which alleges unexplained wealth and covers the Vice President’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs). #VPonTrial | 📷: Niño Jesus Orbeta, Philippine Daily Inquirer [1/3] Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/mw8M041p9K Watch our livestream here: https://t.co/yDSQjDSPQ8

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 15, 2026

Senate Impeachment Court Presiding Officer Francis Escudero has allowed the prosecution to present Vice President Sara Duterte’s SALN

‘MAY NEGOSYO PERO WALANG NAKADEKLARANG PUHUNAN’Ombudsman Records Division officer-in-charge Karen Batu confirmed that Vice President Sara Duterte did not declare an acquisition cost for the businesses cited in her 2007-2009 SALNs.The same goes for the businesses in her… pic.twitter.com/J43i5BtcN0

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 15, 2026

LOOK: Vice President Sara Duterte's declared net worth in her 2007–2012 and 2016–2022 SALNs. #VPonTrial | @AprBenjaminINQ Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/kgOPzWt0y1Watch our livestream here: https://t.co/Np2zleCk24 pic.twitter.com/QVOGC42AOf

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 15, 2026

‘I WANNA LET IT GO, YOUR HONOR’Defense lawyer Justin Nicol Gular moved to strike the side remarks of Atty. James Alih and objected to the latter’s “interjection of conclusion” in his questioning related to Vice President Sara Duterte’s husband, Manases Carpio, and their… pic.twitter.com/rJiygqCYb9

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 15, 2026

WATCH: House lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro reacts to the defense team's repetitive use of the term "mini-trial" during its previous cross-examination of witnesses whenever referring to the clarificatory hearings done by the House committee on justice as part of the… pic.twitter.com/maPZ9X40YV

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 15, 2026

LOOK: Cash declarations in Vice President Sara Duterte’s 2007–2012 and 2016–2022 SALNs. Ombudsman Records Division officer-in-charge Karen Batu says no cash on hand or in bank declarations were listed in Duterte’s SALNs from 2019 to 2025. #VPonTrial | @AprBenjaminINQ Follow… pic.twitter.com/C5MyUPLk3f

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 15, 2026

LOOK: Vice President Sara Duterte’s business interests and financial connections as declared in her 2022–2025 SALNs, covering her tenure as vice president.The prosecution earlier presented her declared business interests and financial connections in her 2007–209 SALNs, covering… pic.twitter.com/nRmijXDJZ7

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 15, 2026

Leading the direct examination of witness from the Office of the Ombudsman, lawyer Karen Batu, is lawyer James Bryan Ibrahim Alih.

‘BAKIT MAY REDACTIONS?’Ombudsman Records Division officer-in-charge Karen Batu explains that the redactions in Vice President Sara Duterte’s SALNs presented in the impeachment trial include only the names of minors and residential addresses. #VPonTrialFollow our live updates… pic.twitter.com/VROFGEQgOs

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 15, 2026

LOOK: Ombudsman Records Division officer-in-charge Karen Batu says the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) is a declaration under oath by a public official of their assets, liabilities and net worth, including those of their spouse.She says the only redactions… pic.twitter.com/mT9zxf1ypK

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 15, 2026

LOOK: Ombudsman Records Division officer-in-charge Karen Batu takes the stand as prosecution's witness for Article II, which alleges unexplained wealth. #VPonTrial | @AprBenjaminINQ Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/kgOPzWt0y1Watch our livestream here:… pic.twitter.com/LcxATeFJLu

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 15, 2026

LOOK: DAY 25: The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte resumes on Tuesday, September 15. A quorum has been declared, with 17 senator-judges present. #VPonTrial | @AprBenjaminINQ Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/kgOPzWt0y1Watch our livestream here:… pic.twitter.com/Jys5O2jmrH

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 15, 2026

On Day 25 of Sara Duterte impeachment trial, court will hear testimonies from Office of the Ombudsman and SEC officials.

Officials from the Ombudsman and the SEC are scheduled to testify Tuesday, the 25th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.