Reading of impeachment charges vs. Sara Duterte set for June 2
The Senate has expressed readiness to receive the House of Representatives' panel of prosecutors so they can read the impeachment charges against Vice President Sara Duterte on June 2, which will be followed by the convening of the impeachment court on June 3.
"Pursuant to Rule I of the Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trials, we would like to inform your good office that, having taken proper order on the impeachment of Vice-President Sara Z. Duterte, the Senate shall be ready to receive the House of Representatives' panel of prosecutors at 4 o'clock in the afternoon of June 2, 2025," Senate President Chiz Escudero said in a letter to House Speaker Martin Romualdez dated May 19.
Escudero noted that in their previous letter last Feb. 24, the Senate "shall expect the prosecution to read the seven charges under the Articles of Impeachment in open session."
"Thereafter, the Senate shall be convened as an impeachment court at 9 o'clock in the morning of June 3, 2025 for the purpose of issuing the summons and such other relevant orders," he added.
Last May 15, incoming party-list representatives Leila De Lima (Mamamayang Liberal) and Chel Diokno (Akbayan) announced that they'd be part of the House prosecution panel in Duterte's impeachment trial.
Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives on Feb. 5. In a prepared statement, the House leadership said that the grounds for her impeachment are a “series of grave allegations, including conspiracy to assassinate Marcos, large-scale corruption, abuse of public funds, and involvement in extrajudicial killings.”
"Respondent's conduct throughout her tenure clearly displays gross faithlessness against public trust and a tyrannical abuse of power that, taken together, showcases her gross unfitness to hold public office and her infidelity to the laws and the 1987 Constitution," part of the complaint read.
On the same day after the House's filing, the Senate went to recess without tackling Duterte's impeachment and will resume its session on June 2. The Senate has proposed to start the impeachment trial on July 30.
Last Feb. 18, Duterte filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition before the Supreme Court to challenge the validity and constitutionality of the fourth impeachment complaint against her by the House of Representatives. She asked the SC to issue the Senate a writ of prohibition, an order preventing it from making a decision, in a bid to block the impeachment trial.
But after casting her vote in the midterm elections on May 12, Duterte told the media that she's prepared for whatever the impeachment trial's outcome will be.
"'Yung impeachment naman, kahit anong mangyari diyan—guilty or acquittal—handa na ako sa kung anong mangyari," she said.
In the 24-seat Senate, it needs at least 16 or a two-thirds vote to remove Duterte from office. A successful conviction in an impeachment trial would remove one from their role and permanently disqualify them from holding public office in the future.
Escudero, in a Kapihan sa Senado forum on May 15, underscored that he's not concerned about the impeachment trial turning into a circus.
"No," he said. "'Yung papasok na mga miyembro ng Senado, limang reeleksiyonista, apat na dating senador, tatlo na miyembro ng Kamara... so mga beterano, batikan sa legislation sa parliamentary rules ang mga ito."
In light of "outbursts" and other commotions in past impeachment trials, Escudero said that those were inevitable. However, they will make sure to maintain peace and order during Sara's impeachment trial with the assistance of the Senate sergeant-at-arms.
"Inaasahan kong magiging maayos ang Senado at ang sinuman na magpepreside, lalo na kung ako 'yun, titiyakin ko that order will be maintained," he added.
