Palace: Senator-judges should remain unbiasedSenate opens impeachment court to public, but limits use of devices Senators start the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate in Pasay, Metro Manila on July 6, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday expressed hope that senator-judges of the impeachment court trying Vice President Sara Duterte would remain unbiased and would not sweep evidence under the rug just to cover up wrongdoing. Palace press officer Claire Castro said judges ask questions during trial to clarify things and to ferret out the truth, not to cross examine witnesses. She added that during the impeachment trial, there were attempts to alter the interpretation of the law and to interrupt witnesses who were answering questions. Meanwhile, prosecutor Amando Ligutan said yesterday Duterte cannot feign innocence over the still-unaccounted P500 million confidential funds her office had spent in 2022 and 2023.