Senate formally opens Sara Duterte's impeachment trial

The Senate has formally convened as an impeachment court to open the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, July 6.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, in his opening statement, began by pointing out that impeachment "is a constitutional mechanism that holds the highest public officials of the Republic accountable to the people."

"We cannot achieve accountability nor can we faithfully serve justice without the truth," he continued. "Karapatan ng sambayanan na malaman kung may katotohanan ang mga paratang laban sa pangalawang pangulo."

"Nakatutok ang buong sambayanan—bawat kilos, salita, at pagpapasyang ating gagawin ay huhubog sa kasaysayan at ang kasaysayan ang huling huhusga kung tayo ay kumilos nang tapat at nararapat," said Gatchalian.

"Magalang kong hinihikayat ang bawat senator-judge, nawa'y tuparin natin ang ating tungkulin ng may dangal at pananagutan sa ating Konstitusyon upang maging karapat-dapat tayo sa tiwalang ipinagkaloob sa atin ng sambayanang Pilipino," he added.

In a 12–8 vote, the senator-judges elected Chiz Escudero to preside over the trial, with 12 voting in favor and eight voting against.

The Senate impeachment court has approved a 92-day trial as of writing. Sixty-two trial dates have been set for House of Representatives prosecutors and 30 for Duterte's defense team, according to a 14-page Pre-Trial Order obtained by The Philippine STAR.

Duterte is facing a total of four impeachment complaints. The first complaint was filed by a coalition of various organizations on Feb. 2, but was set aside for violating the one-year bar rule. The second was filed on Feb. 9, but was withdrawn to consolidate support for the third complaint.

The third complaint, backed by ML Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, charged Duterte with culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, plunder or malversation, bribery, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.

The fourth complaint, endorsed by House Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega and Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante, similarly alleged constitutional violations, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, and other impeachable offenses.

The House lawmakers voted 257 in favor of her impeachment during its first regular session on May 11. Twenty-five voted against it, while nine abstained. 

If the Senate impeachment court finds her guilty of the charges, Duterte will be removed from her current post and permanently barred from holding public office.

Note: This is a developing story.