[In the Public Square] Two months in: Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial so far

The impeachment can be viewed in terms popularized by a late, great constitutionalist: it is 'political justice'

We’ve just completed Day 21, and Week 9, of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Today, public prosecutor Representative Joel Chua suggested that the prosecution may be able to finish its presentation of evidence in chief by early October. That means, he said, the trial might end by December.

As people say, malayo pa, pero malayo na. Two months in, how goes the impeachment of Sara Duterte?

The impeachment can be viewed in terms popularized by the late, great constitutionalist Fr. Joaquin Bernas SJ: it is “political justice.” It’s important to listen to legal analysts, and we will continue to do so.

But it’s equally important to hear from political scientists, and in this episode of In the Public Square, Rappler columnist John Nery is joined by highly esteemed professors of political science.

Dr. Jean Franco is a professor of political science at the UP Diliman and Arjan Aguirre is assistant professor of political science on leave at the Ateneo de Manila, who is doing his PhD at the University of Pittsburgh.

Catch the episode on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at 8 pm.-Rappler.com