Senate President Francis Escudero (left) and Vice President Sara Duterte (INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS / NI脩O JESUS ORBETA / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE)
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is not expected to take more than three months, Senate President Francis Escudero said on Tuesday, adding that the verdict on the articles of impeachment filed against the country鈥檚 second top official is more likely to be announced by October 2025.
In a press conference in Sorsogon, Escudero said this would be the case if the proper impeachment trial would begin in July or after the 20th Congress begins.
According to Escudero, all cross-examinations of evidence and other legislative matters will be done during the pre-impeachment proceedings so the time for the actual trial will no longer be wasted.
鈥淒ahil dyan sa tingin ko hindi sosobra sa tatlong buwan o dalawang buwan ang trial so by the time na mag-recess kami sa October 2025, tapos na ito at mapagbobotohan na,鈥� said Escudero in Sorsoge帽o.
(That鈥檚 why I think the trial won鈥檛 take more than three or two months, so by the time we鈥檙e about to go on recess in October 2025, it鈥檚 already done, and the only thing we need to do is to vote.)
In the same interview, Escudero emphasized the need for the impeachment to be tackled in an open session.
Hence, it would not be legally possible to do so at present time since Congress is on break.
According to the Senate chief, once the session resumes in June, the Senate will convene as an impeachment court and approve the impeachment rules.
Once this has been done, Escudero will issue a summons asking Duterte to answer the allegations being hurdled against her.
Below is a rough timeline as provided by Escudero:
- June 4 鈥� Issuance of summons to Duterte
- June 6 鈥� Duterte will be given two days to receive the summons
- June 16 鈥� Duterte will be given ten more days to answer and address the summons sent to her
- July 29 or 30 鈥� Actual start of trial comprising reception and admission of evidence
Contrary to Escudero鈥檚 stance, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III argued that the Senate can make a decision to convene as an impeachment court and 鈥渃ome up with its court calendar separate from its legislative calendar.鈥�
He said it is theoretically possible for the Senate to begin preliminary impeachment preparations in March and defer the presentation of witnesses until after the upcoming election.
But Pimentel also argued that such a delay would still run counter to the framers鈥� original intent and the spirit of the Constitution that 鈥渢rial by the Senate shall forthwith start.鈥�