黑料社

MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Senate President Francis Escudero has ordered offices in the upper chamber to prepare for the impending impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

The Senate chief made the directive via Special Order No. 2025-015, specifically seeking the organization of administrative support to the Senate sitting as an impeachment court.

Under the document, the following roles were outlined:

• Clerk of Court鈥擳he Senate Secretary is designated as the Clerk of the Senate sitting as an impeachment court in accordance with the Rules on Impeachment Trials. Included in the Clerk of Court鈥檚 functions are the following: non-judicial functions including recording and reporting of proceedings, maintaining and preserving court records, preparing and serving notices among others.
• Deputy Clerk鈥擳he Senate Legal Counsel is designated as Deputy Clerk responsible for drafting the preparation of subpoenas, writs, summons, orders, resolutions, decisions, and other legal instruments. The office would also be responsible for preparation of legal memoranda and briefs, summaries of proceedings, and pleadings, as may be required by the Presiding Officer or by the Impeachment Court.
• Deputy Clerk鈥擳he Deputy Secretary is likewise designated as Deputy Clerk designated to be responsible for the transcripts and journals of the trial; forms of oath and custody and maintenance of the Oath Book in accordance with the Rules of Procedures on Impeachment Trials; preparation of business of the trial scenarios; drafting of impeachment court resolutions; custody of all documents pertaining to proceedings; and processing of requests for copies of impeachment documents.

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Meanwhile, the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms is tasked with the following:

• service of summons, subpoenas, and other legal processes as directed by the Presiding Officer or the Clerk of Court,
• providing status reports on the service of summons and legal processes to the Clerk of Court,
• implementing and maintaining security arrangements for the presiding officer, senator-judges, prosecution and defense panels, witnesses, and guests,
• maintaining order in the chamber and its premises,
• implementing all orders and directives of the presiding officer relating to the preservation of order and decorum during the proceedings,

Apart from these, the Secretary of the Senate is also authorized to issue administrative orders, directives, guidelines, as may be necessary.

鈥淭his order shall take effect immediately and shall remain in force until the conclusion of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte or until otherwise revoked or amended,鈥� the document reads.

Special Order No. 2025-015 was signed by Escudero himself. It was dated February 20, 2025.