Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino has introduced a resolution proposing a 19-day schedule for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. This timeline aims to ensure due process while completing the proceedings before the 19th Congress adjourns on June 30.
Filed under Senate Resolution No. 1367, the trial calendar begins with the formation of the impeachment court on June 11 and ends with the verdict on June 30. The timeline includes specific dates for submissions, evidence presentation, rebuttals, oral arguments, and deliberations.
Tolentino argued that a prompt schedule ensures fairness while preventing the constitutional complications of carrying the trial into the next Congress.
Senate President Francis Escudero, who was sworn in as presiding officer of the impeachment court, expressed reservations about rushing the process. He emphasized the importance of allowing both sides ample opportunity to present evidence, questioning the necessity of an expedited timeline.
Escudero also stated that impeachment proceedings could legally continue into the 20th Congress, challenging Tolentino’s interpretation.
Meanwhile, Senator Robin Padilla has also filed a resolution to terminate the impeachment process entirely.
Vice President Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives on February 5, with over 200 lawmakers supporting the complaint, which alleges betrayal of public trust, constitutional violations, graft, and other high crimes.