House SecGen asks for work space in Senate for VP impeachment trial
Photo from the office of House Secretary General Reginald Velasco
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has formally requested the Senate to designate a working space for the Public Prosecution Panel in the upper chamber’s building in preparation for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. 
In a letter dated March 5 but was released to the media on Sunday, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco asked Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero to provide a space for the House prosecutors and the House Secretariat Support Group (SSG) in the Senate building.
READ: Escudero bares proposed calendar of Sara Duterte impeachment trial
“On behalf of the House of Representatives Public Prosecution Panel, may I humbly request the assignment of a room in the Senate that will be utilized as a work and holding area for the Public Prosecutors and the House of Representatives Secretariat Support Group (SSG) for the duration of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte,” Velasco said in the letter.
He likewise requested an inspection of the designated room “to determine how it will be set up to provide a comfortable and convenient working environment for the Public Prosecutors and the SSG.”
Velaso said the upper chamber formally received the latter last March 6.
Prior to this, the House official said Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez acknowledged receipt of an earlier letter from Escudero dated February 24. The letter contained the preparations undertaken by the Senate concerning the impeachment trial Duterte.
“In line with established procedures, I have forwarded your letter to the House prosecution panel for their appropriate comment and action,” Romualdez said in the letter.
“The House of Representatives trusts that the proceedings will be conducted with fairness, impartiality, and strict adherence to the provisions of the Constitution,” he added.
On February 27, Escudero released the proposed calendar of the impeachment trial of Duterte, eyeing to start the actual judicial proceeding on July 30.
Below is the timeline of the proposed timeline:
- June 2 – Resumption of session and presentation of articles of impeachment
- June 3 – Convening of impeachment court and oathtaking of incumbent senator-judges
- June 4 – Issuance of summons
- June 14 to 24 – Reception of pleadings
- June 24 to July 25 – Pre-trial
- July 28 – Inaugural session of the Senate of the 20th Congress
- July 29 – Oath-taking of newly elected senator-judges before sitting as an impeachment court
- July 30 – Start of trial
Escudero said the upper chamber hopes 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 “would not tolerate any dilatory motion or pleading.”
The House of Representatives confirmed on February 5 that 215 lawmakers signed the fourth impeachment complaint against Duterte.
