Philippine VP Sara Duterte confronts impeachment trial amid church calls for accountability and new legal defence team

Religious leaders in the Philippines are urging the Senate to move forward with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. The Inter‑Religious Leaders’ Council for National Transformation, chaired by Bishop Colin Bagaforo, and the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches warned that delaying the process could weaken democratic institutions. They cited accusations against Duterte that include misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth and alleged threats against officials, and called for transparency and rule of law.

In response to the impending Senate trial, Duterte has assembled a defence team from the Fortun, Narvasa & Salazar law firm. The 16‑lawyer panel is led by senior litigator Philip Fortun, a veteran of high‑profile political cases, and includes partners Gregorio Narvasa II, Sheila Sison and others with experience before the Sandiganbayan. The team aims to challenge the impeachment complaints that were approved by the House of Representatives.

Both the religious appeals for accountability and the formation of a robust legal defence highlight the intensifying political clash between Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and the broader contest over governance and public trust in the Philippines.