黑料社

MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Senate President Francis Escudero released the proposed calendar of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, eyeing to start the actual judicial proceeding on July 30.

In a press conference on Thursday, the Senate chief disclosed the proposed timeline:

• June 2 鈥� Resumption of session and presentation of articles of impeachment
• June 3 鈥� Convening of impeachment court and oathtaking of incumbent senator-judges
• June 4 鈥� Issuance of summons
• June 14 to 24 鈥� Reception of pleadings
• June 24 to July 25 鈥� Pre-trial
• July 28 鈥� Inaugural session of the Senate of the 20th Congress
• July 29 鈥� Oath-taking of newly elected senator-judges before sitting as an impeachment court
• July 30 鈥� Start of trial

Escudero said the Senate was hoping to adhere to the proposed schedule. He also said that considering the prosecution and defense would have ample time to prepare for the proceedings, it 鈥渨ould not tolerate any dilatory motion or pleading.鈥�

According to the Senate chief, all senators were made aware of the proposed calendar, noting that he sent each of them a letter detailing his plans.

In his letter, Escudero explained that the impeachment complaint was received late in the afternoon of the Senate鈥檚 session day, 鈥渨ithout sufficient prior notice that would have prompted the body to discuss and amend the impeachment rules and procedures.鈥�

According to the Senate leader, his office has been reviewing existing rules and has commenced drafting proposed amendments that would, among others:

• authorize the Senate President to issue summons on the person impeached and preside over the pre-trial and the receipt of judicial affidavits;

• incorporate directly or by reference, Revised Rules of Court provisions on judicial affidavits, pre-trial conference, reception of evidence, electronic filing of proceedings, and other matters; and

• provide clear guidance on the procedure to be followed in case the trial is not concluded before the sine die adjournment of Congress

鈥淭he proposed amendments shall be circulated to all the senators for review, comment, or further amendments on or before March 31 so that the revised rules can be approved by the Senate in plenary when we resume session on June 2, 2025,鈥� the letter reads.

Earlier, Escudero had ordered offices in the upper chamber to prepare for the impending impeachment trial.

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

Despite this, he maintained that the proceedings would not be rushed, sticking to his earlier pronouncements that the proper impeachment trial against the vice president would commence after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.鈥檚 fourth State of the Nation Address in July.