The Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte entered its first week, focusing on the legal debate over whether her alleged assassination threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.constitute impeachable offenses.

Prosecutors argue that the threats, documented in video clips and testimonies, breached public trust and violate the Constitution's grounds for impeachment.

They presented evidence, including a 2024 interview where Duterte allegedly discussed a 'contract' with an 'assassin' to protect her family, which defense lawyers claim was taken out of context.

The defense countered that the threats were a personal response to life-threatening situations, not criminal acts, and that the charges fall under lower courts' jurisdiction.

Legal experts highlighted the procedural complexities, including the need to prove 'grave abuse of power' and the court's caution against premature conclusions.

The trial will continue with testimonies from Duterte's chief of staff and NBI officials, with oral arguments on subpoena legality set for July 15.The case underscores the tension between political accountability and due process in high-profile legal proceedings.