MANILA, Philippines – Responding to questions about the start of the impeachment trial, Senate President Chiz Escudero on Monday, February 10, said that it will likely begin after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July.
“Most likely when the new Congress already enters into its functions, after SONA. I think it is on July 21. So [the] trial will commence after that day,” Escudero told reporters.
The Senate received the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday, February 5, the last day of its session. This came after House lawmakers fast-tracked a resolution, signed by 215 lawmakers that afternoon. By Friday, February 7, the number had risen to 240.
Escudero said that they would treat the trial as standard impeachment proceedings, similar to any impeachable officer facing trial. He also seemed to criticize House lawmakers, accusing them of slow action.
“Walang dahilan para mag-iba ang pag trato namin rito… Bakit nila inupuan ng dalawang buwan ito? (There’s no reason for us to treat this differently. Why did they sit down and do nothing on this for two months?),” he rhetorically asked. The first three impeachment complaints against the Vice President were filed in December 2024.
The timing of the impeachment against the Vice President is tricky due to the upcoming midterm elections. Escudero has said that no impeachment trial will take place during the break, as seven senators will be focused on their reelection campaigns.
On Thursday, February 6, Escudero said that during the break, they can begin drafting the impeachment rules so that when they reconvene, they can immediately discuss them in the plenary.
During Monday’s briefing, the Senate President said that once the rules are approved, they will summon the accused and give the Vice President 10 business days to respond. He also provided a preview of how lengthy the process is expected to be.
“Sampung araw para sumagot kung hindi siya hihingi ng extension. Kapag humingi ng extension, malamang pagbibigyan naman ‘yun ng isa. Ngayon pagkatapos ‘nun sampung araw din para mag-sumite ng reply. Baka humingi din ng extension. Pagkatapos ‘nun baka humiling naman ‘yung nasasakdal ng pagkakataon na mag-submit ng rejoinder, hindi ko alam pero karapatan niya ‘yun. Karapatan din ng prosekusiyon mag-submit ng surrejoinder. Karapatan din ng magkabilang panig kung tingin nila may nais pa silang sabihin o isumite na pleading, mag-sumite ng tinatawag nating ad cautelam pleading,” Escudero explained.
(Ten days to respond if she doesn’t ask for an extension. If she asks for an extension, it’s likely that it will be granted. After that, another ten days to submit a reply. She might ask for an extension again. After that, the accused might request the chance to submit a rejoinder, I don’t know, but that is her right. It’s also the prosecution’s right to submit a surrejoinder. Both sides have the right, if they think there is still something they want to say or submit as a pleading, to submit what we call an ad cautelam pleading.)
Congress will resume its session on June 2 and adjourn on June 13, leaving lawmakers with only six session days. The Senate will have a new set of senators beginning June 30.
The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP), chaired by former president Rodrigo Duterte, has called on its supporters to vote for its candidates to ensure the Vice President receives the necessary support when the trial begins. She needs just eight votes to be acquitted and to remain in office. – Rappler.com