Vice President Sara Duterte is assured of a fair and impartial impeachment trial once proceedings begin, likely in two months, Senate President Francis Escudero said yesterday.
Escudero confirmed that the Senate would commence the trial once Congress resumes session on June 2.
He ruled out calling for a special session to fast-track the process, emphasizing that the proceedings would strictly adhere to the law, Senate rules, and the Constitution.
“We will not favor any side, nor will we rush or delay the process unnecessarily. Public opinion—whether for or against—will not dictate our actions. We will uphold fairness and due process,” Escudero stated.
The House of Representatives transmitted the impeachment complaints against Duterte to the Senate on Feb. 5.
However, the Senate can only tackle the case once Congress reconvenes in June after the midterm elections.
Escudero estimated that the trial would last approximately two months, similar to past impeachment cases involving former President Joseph Estrada, former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, and the late Chief Justice Renato Corona.
He noted that the updated court rules on pre-trial briefings could further streamline the process by allowing parties to present documents and conduct cross-examinations efficiently.
When asked if President Marcos intended to call a special session to expedite the impeachment trial, Escudero said no such indication had been made.
“If the President calls for a special session, we will comply. However, at this time, there is no sign of that happening,” he noted.
He reiterated that the trial would not receive special treatment.
“We must ensure this process is neither rushed nor delayed compared to past impeachment cases,” he added.
Before the trial officially begins, several preliminary matters must be addressed.
Senators, who will serve as judges, must be briefed on the rules, which must be published beforehand.
The Senate must also formally convene as an impeachment court, where all members will take an oath as judges.
Once these steps are completed, the trial can proceed even during congressional recess, as seen in previous impeachment cases.
Legal concerns
Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal raised concerns over Escudero’s statement that the impeachment trial would be decided by the senators of the 20th Congress, rather than those currently serving in the 19th Congress, which ends on June 30.
“If we follow Macalintal’s argument, does that mean we must reach a verdict by June 30, whether or not the trial is complete?” Escudero questioned.
He emphasized that unless the Supreme Court intervenes with a temporary restraining order, the Senate would continue the trial as planned.
The once-dominant political influence of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s family in Mindanao appears to be waning.
Nearly three years after Duterte left office, a significant number of Mindanao lawmakers backed the impeachment complaint against his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.
A review of the 215 lawmakers who signed the complaint revealed that 43 out of 60 Mindanao representatives supported the move.
Some lawmakers were unable to sign for logistical reasons, such as being overseas or out of town at the time.
“If you look at the numbers, 43 of 60 Mindanao lawmakers signed the impeachment complaint. That signals a shift in the political landscape, even in the Dutertes’ stronghold,” noted Rep. France Castro of ACT Teachers party-list.
Castro dismissed claims that the House vote does not reflect public sentiment.
“With a supermajority backing the impeachment, it’s clear that the situation is changing,” she said
Seventeen Mindanao lawmakers, including Duterte’s son, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, and their political ally, Rep. Isidro Ungab, did not sign the complaint.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, who signed the impeachment complaint, underscored that questioning the legitimacy of the 215 signatories is baseless.
“With over three-fourths of Congress supporting this, the process is beyond coercion or manipulation. This is not just about politics—it’s about upholding the rule of law,” Barbers stated.
He described this as one of the strongest impeachment complaints in Philippine history, with bipartisan backing proving that the issue transcends political affiliations.
With overwhelming support for the complaint, Barbers asserted that the process is unstoppable.
“This cannot be derailed by a few voices. The numbers speak for themselves,” he concluded.
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