Defiant Duterte Vows to Emerge “Bloodied but Unbowed” Amid Impeachment

Vice President Sara Duterte arrived at the Senate and met with her legal defense team on Day 2 of the ongoing impeachment proceedings.

Defiant Duterte Vows to Emerge “Bloodied but Unbowed” Amid Impeachment

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | July 8, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte, facing an unprecedented second impeachment trial, made a brief yet impactful appearance at the Senate on July 7, the second day of proceedings. Instead of attending the trial session, she delivered a defiant statement to the media, declaring, “In this bloodbath and bludgeoning, I will be bloodied but unbowed,” echoing William Ernest Henley’s “Invictus.” Her swift exit underscored her combative stance as the legal battle unfolds.

Duterte’s legal team, led by spokesperson Michael Poa, confirmed her presence at the Senate solely for a meeting with defense counsel, not for the trial itself. This strategy mirrored her absence from the first day on July 6, when she was represented by lawyers headed by Shiela Sison. While impeachment spokesperson Reginald Tongol and House prosecutors acknowledged that her legal representation negated the need for physical presence, prosecutors had previously urged her direct engagement with the charges.

The impeachment trial, slated for 92 days, commenced with the charge of grave threats allegedly made by Duterte in November 2024. Prosecution legal spokesperson Benjamin Tolosa indicated that this initial charge was chosen for its relative simplicity and fewer required witnesses.

This calculated approach, marked by Duterte’s defiant posture and strategic non-attendance, sets a combative tone for the coming weeks of the impeachment proceedings.

A Historic Political Figure Under Siege

Duterte holds a unique position in Philippine political history, having secured an unparalleled 32 million votes in the 2022 vice presidential election—the most significant electoral mandate for a vice president. Now, she faces the distinction of being the first Philippine official to be impeached twice, with her current trial commencing on July 6.

Following her May 11 impeachment by the House of Representatives for the second time, Duterte faces four Articles of Impeachment. The Senate has approved 92 trial days for these proceedings.

The Charges Against the Vice President

Article I: Alleged Misuse of Confidential Funds

• This article focuses on the purported misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds, comprising P500 million from the Office of the Vice President and P112.5 million from the Department of Education.

Article II: Alleged Unexplained Wealth and Non-Disclosure

• This charge concerns alleged unexplained wealth, failure to accurately disclose assets in Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) from 2022 to 2024, and failure to divest and willful continued business interests.

Article III: Alleged Bribery and Procurement Irregularities

• This article alleges bribery and procurement irregularities involving officials within the Department of Education.

Article IV: Alleged Assassination Threats

• This charge accuses Duterte of making assassination threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

• Under the Constitution, a conviction necessitates a vote of at least two-thirds of all senator-judges. If convicted, Duterte faces potential removal from office and perpetual disqualification from holding any public position.

Supporters Allege Political Persecution

Duterte’s staunch supporters dismiss all allegations as politically motivated and fabricated. They argue she is being “convicted” even before the trial begins, perceiving the impeachment as a weapon wielded by a “kleptocracy” and “kakistocracy” aiming to disqualify her from the 2028 presidential race. 

Her base remains confident in her victory in the 2028 presidential election, believing that upon her assumption of the presidency, all officials implicated in systemic kickbacks from “ghost projects” and other corruption will face incarceration and will rot in jail..

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