Sara Duterte says ‘will never resign’ amid impeachment trial, allegations
Vice President Sara Duterte speaks to her legal counsel, as she refuses to enter the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, citing safety concerns, before posting bail for her grave threats case on Saturday, September 5, 2026. A Quezon City RTC issued an arrest warrant Friday against Duterte on three counts of grave threats after she claimed during a November 2024 press briefing that she had hired an assassin to kill President Marcos, the First Lady, and Speaker Romualdez. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday said she will “never resign” as she faces an impeachment trial and several allegations of wrongdoing.
In an ambush interview during the 52nd Philippine Business Conference and Expo, Duterte said: “I will not resign. I will never resign from the Office of the Vice President.”
Duterte said she and her legal team have no other plan except to deny the allegations thrown against her that she has said are politically motivated.
“We do not expect fairness from the government in general.”
The vice president added she is expecting more allegations, “cheating,” and “black propaganda” against her, given the approaching 2028 presidential elections.
On Monday, the National Bureau of Investigation said it is investigating Duterte’s properties, including a land she supposedly misdeclared as agricultural in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs).
Former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV meanwhile accused Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio, of receiving millions-worth of remittances from the Chinese government.
Dismissed policeman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. claimed former speaker Lord Allan Velaso ordered him to deliver money to the vice president, while self-described bagman Ramil Madriaga alleged he delivered suitcases of cash to several individuals under Duterte’s instructions.
Duterte denied all the allegations.
The prosecution on Tuesday dropped three of the four articles of impeachment against her, retaining only the unexplained wealth charge, before the trial went on a break.
Trial is set to resume on November 9, with the defense to present its case.