LIVE UPDATES: Sara Duterte impeachment trial | Sept. 28, 2026

Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team on Monday said it appreciated Senator-Judge Lacson’s feedback on its cross-examination strategy,

PhilGEPS Division Chief Rendell Sopeña and PNP firearms officer PMaj. Joericson Sangalang took the witness stand on Day 30 of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Here are some highlights from the September 28 proceedings. #VPonTrial

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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 28, 2026

Senator-judge Raffy Tulfo urges lawmakers to revisit the law on how many firearms a person may own, saying he was surprised to learn that an individual can “own as many firearms as you can.”

“Ang isang tao pwede na magtayo ng private army… Puwede pala one to sawa. I did not know that,” Tulfo said. #VPonTrial

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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 28, 2026

The Senate impeachment court has considered public prosecutor and Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon’s explanation.

The NBI will “invite” Vice President Sara Duterte, former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, and others implicated in an ex-cop’s “cash delivery” allegation.

LOOK: The Senate Impeachment Court considered public prosecutor and Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon’s explanation as to why he should not be cited for a possible violation of the sub judice rule.

Instead of a fine, the court issued a stern warning to Ridon.

Ridon shared to reporters copies of the impeachment court’s decision. Attached below are cropped copies of the ruling. #VPonTrial | @GabrielLaluINQ

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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 28, 2026

PNP firearms officer PMaj. Joericson Sangalang says Vice President Sara Duterte owns 22 firearms under a Type 5 License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF), while Mans Carpio owns 29 firearms under the same license type. #VPonTrial

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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 28, 2026

VP Sara Duterte and her husband, Manases “Mans” Carpio, have over 50 guns registered under their names, a witness said.

Only four of the 15 food service contracts awarded by Davao City to a corporation linked to VP Sara Duterte went through public bidding.

Some senator-judges share their qualms about the relevance of tackling the firearms owned by Vice President Sara Duterte.

Here is the list of firearms registered to Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, Mans Carpio, as reported by Maj. Jerickson Sangalang before the Senate impeachment court.

Class A weapons refer to fully automatic firearms, reserved primarily for military and law enforcement use. #VPonTrial | @zacariansINQ

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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 28, 2026

LOOK: Senate impeachment court adjourns until 10 am, Tuesday, September 29.

WITNESSES (Sept 29-Oct 2)
Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte
Atty. Kathy Baldonado, Register of Deeds, Davao City
Atty. Marco Pineda, Deputy Register of Deeds III
Atty. Ronel Beneventura, AMLC Secretariat #VPonTrial | @AprBenjaminINQ

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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 28, 2026

‘INGAT NA INGAT KAMI MAG-RAOD RAGE, MAGKA-VIOLATION.’

LOOK: Senator-judge Migz Zubiri, who described himself as a “pro-gun” legislator, says the number of firearms a person owns does not matter as long as they are properly licensed and the owner complies with the law.

He notes licensed firearm owners are careful to avoid violations because their firearms can be revoked for violations.

“Ingat na ingat kami mag-road rage, magka-violation,” Zubiri said.

He also emphasized that owning firearms in the Philippines is a privilege, not a constitutional right, unlike the right to bear arms under the US Constitution.

Zubiri added that the “law that was authored by Sen. Ping Lacson is sufficient” and that proper implementation is key.

“I think the only part of the law that I would like to amend is the safekeeping of the firearms,” Zubiri said.

He says safekeeping requirements stricter, particularly in cases where licensed firearms are accessed by family members and used in crimes such as mass shootings. #VPonTrial | @AprBenjaminINQ

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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 28, 2026

LOOK: Prosecution presents list of firearms owned by Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, Atty. Mans Carpio.PMaj. Joericson Sangalang said a market survey placed the estimated value of Duterte’s firearms at P2,184,550, while those of Carpio were estimated at P5 million.… pic.twitter.com/cYhPWxZq7Y

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 28, 2026

One of the House prosecutors in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is San Juan City Lone District Rep. Bel Zamora.

LOOK: Senator-judge Erwin Tulfo questioned the relevance of Police Major Joerick Sangalang’s testimony on the firearms owned by Vice President Sara Duterte to the unexplained wealth charge.“May diamante ba o may gold ba ’yong baril na ’yan?” Tulfo asked.He noted that many… pic.twitter.com/7A88umVhX5

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 28, 2026

LOOK: Defense counsel CJ Narvasa objected to the presentation of Police Major Joericson Sangalang as a witness on the firearms owned by Vice President Sara Duterte.Narvasa argues that he is not competent to testify on their value because his role as chief of the Firearms and… pic.twitter.com/pGA2xb0cRd

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 28, 2026

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. confirmed that dismissed patrolman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. had served as a security detail

LOOK: Police Major Joericson Sangalang takes the stand as prosecution’s witness for Article II, which alleges unexplained wealth. #VPonTrial | @AprBenjaminINQ Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/vHzGkGZZLy Watch our livestream here: https://t.co/h2G11AVzI7 pic.twitter.com/eunkxSBoQR

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 28, 2026

Defense counsel Sheila Sison, citing the Constitution, says Vice President Sara Duterte has the right to remain silent.

Prosecution counsel Rep. Chel Diokno asks the defense team to stipulate to the authenticity of Sara Duterte bank records.

The opposing parties in VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial clashed over the prosecution’s request to admit VP’s bank records into evidence.

The Senate impeachment court granted the request of Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte that he be allowed to appear Tuesday and Wednesday.

CONFLICT OF INTERESTDuring Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, Senator-Judge Raffy Tulfo and House Lead Prosecutor Gerville Luistro raised concerns about a possible conflict of interest involving Gencorp’s bids for Davao City projects. #VPonTrial Follow our live… pic.twitter.com/MUEwNK5JLy

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 28, 2026

Senate Impeachment Court Presiding Officer Francis Escudero has offered Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. to “rest somewhere else”

‘BAKA PWEDE MAG-ADJUST KAYO NG INYONG DEFENSE STRATEGY.’LOOK: Senator-judge Ping Lacson tells defense panel to reconsider cross-examination strategy.He says defense appeared to focus on creating an “iota of doubt” through highly technical points, giving the impression that… pic.twitter.com/FBAtyfFMLO

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 28, 2026

PhilGEPS Division chief Rendell Sopeña has been excused from the witness stand. Pol. Maj. Joericson Sangalang will be the next witness.Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte asked to appear before the Senate impeachment court on Sept. 29 and 30 to be given ample time to produce the… pic.twitter.com/K5pOn5w00A

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 28, 2026

NO PUBLIC BIDDING FOR 11 GENCORP CONTRACTS FROM DAVAO CITY LGU –SOPEÑALOOK: PhilGEPS Division Chief Rendell Sopeña said 11 of the 15 GenCorp contracts awarded by the Davao City LGU did not go through public bidding, but were processed through “negotiated, small-value… pic.twitter.com/EA3C6wBDNO

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 28, 2026

LOOK: Rep. Chel Diokno thanked lead defense counsel Sheila Sison following their exchange of arguments on the prosecution’s request for admission of Vice President Sara Duterte’s financial records.“It’s always a pleasure to have this exchange of views with the defense counsels.… pic.twitter.com/v43rw36GXh

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 28, 2026

PhilGEPS Electronic Government Procurement Operations Division chief Rendell Sopeña returns to the witness stand on the 30th day of VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial for cross-examination by the defense team. #VPonTrial | @MAgerINQ Follow our live updates here:… pic.twitter.com/OEJKvs4vmu

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 28, 2026

LOOK: Lead defense counsel Sheila Sison argued that Vice President Sara Duterte’s right against self-incrimination applies to the prosecution’s request for admission of her financial records.On the prosecution’s offer to withdraw the request in exchange for stipulations, Sison… pic.twitter.com/00SFLmYOxh

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 28, 2026

LOOK: Rep. Chel Diokno said the prosecution is willing to withdraw its request for admission of Vice President Sara Duterte’s bank records if the defense agrees to stipulations on three basic matters.The proposed stipulations would establish that: 1. The bank records exist… pic.twitter.com/wt5DmdZZbp

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 28, 2026

LOOK: House prosecutor and Rep. Chel Diokno defended the prosecution’s request for admission of documents related to Vice President Sara Duterte’s financial records, arguing that the request does not shift the burden of proof or violate Duterte’s right against self-incrimination.… pic.twitter.com/OfR3dR01wk

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 28, 2026

LOOK: DAY 30: The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte resumes on Monday, September 28. A quorum has been declared, with 15 senator-judges present. #VPonTrial | @AprBenjaminINQ Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/vHzGkGZrW0Watch our livestream here:… pic.twitter.com/2aAkFEKnKP

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 28, 2026

WATCH: House lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro says with five trial days scheduled this week, the prosecution team expects to present more witnesses including Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and former senator Atonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV. #VPonTrial |… pic.twitter.com/ZFwHeXx3I9

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 28, 2026

Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Gen. Alfred Corpus said Davao Mayor Baste Duterte was subpoenaed from Monday until Wednesday as witness for VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, but the mayor did not inform the court whether or not he will arrive today.Corpus also said that the security… pic.twitter.com/EpudIR3Cup

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 28, 2026

LOOK: Protesters calling for the conviction of Vice President Sara Duterte are beginning to gather along J.W. Diokno Boulevard in front of the Senate building. #VPonTrial | @zacariansINQ Watch our livestream here: https://t.co/h2G11AVzI7 pic.twitter.com/aiKuigGx94

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 28, 2026

WATCH: Defense counsel Joaquin Narvasa arrives at the Senate ahead of the 30th day of VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial. The defense team previously said their participation in the trial will be made ‘ad cautelam’ or with caution. #VPonTrial | @bellepechayINQ Watch our… pic.twitter.com/nvnOSSZZPT

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 28, 2026

On the 30th day of Vice President Sara Duterte impeachment trial, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte may take the witness stand on Monday.

Davao City Mayor Bast Duterte may be called to the witness stand by the House prosecution panel on the 30th day of his sister’s impeachment trial.

The Senate impeachment court is optimistic that the Supreme Court would immediately rule on the petitions challenging its 2/3 threshold rule.