Vice President Sara Duterte arrived at the Senate on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, but only to meet with her defense team at the Senate holding area, according to defense spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa.

Poa said the Vice President is not attending the impeachment trial proceedings, as she has other engagements in Manila.

Upon arriving at the Senate, Duterte spoke briefly to reporters, referencing her earlier remark about wanting a "bloodbath" in her impeachment trial. She said: "In this bloodbath and bludgeoning, I will be bloodied but unbowed."

According to Poa, Duterte decided to go straight to the Senate because her defense team was already there, saying the Vice President was minding the convenience of her legal team.

Poa also said he was not sure whether Duterte had watched the first day of the trial, which opened on July 6.

Duterte skipped the opening day of her impeachment trial as well, with Poa previously explaining that she was attending a planning session with the Office of the Vice President.

Tuesday's session marked the second day of the trial, with an official and an agent of the National Bureau of Investigation set to be the first witnesses to take the stand, testifying for the prosecution on the article accusing Duterte of grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family.

Under the trial schedule approved by the Senate impeachment court, the House prosecution panel has 62 trial dates to present its case, while the defense has 30 trial dates, for a total of 92 trial days.

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