Robes fitted as Senate readies for Sara Duterte impeachment trial
MANILA, Philippines — Preparations are ongoing in the Senate for the impending impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, including the fitting of robes for senator-judges.
This was confirmed by Senate Secretary Atty. Renato Bantug in a text message to reporters on Friday, saying that they began coordinating with senators two weeks ago about the matter.
“We’ve started coordinating with the senators para sa sukat ng robes nila. Mga 2 weeks ago. Will ask for update sa handling office kung may nasukatan na,” said Bantug.
(We’ve started coordinating with the senators for the fitting of their robes. About two weeks ago. Will ask for an update from the handling office if they were able to fit some already.)
“Same color and design noong sa Corona trial,” he added, pertaining to the design and color of the robe.
(We will be using the same color and design from what we used during the Corona trial.)
In a separate ambush interview also on Friday, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano said he is scheduled to fit his robe on March 14.
Apart from the fitting of the robe, he confirmed that there are active actions — may it be individual or by group — to prepare for the trial.
“Individual and group — I know for a fact, nireport niyo naman [na] yung preparations ni Senate President. But like my staff, [we] bought the new law books updating doon sa rules ng evidence and then may seminars na ongoing,” said Cayetano.
(Individual and by group. I know for a fact that you already reported the preparations of the Senate President. But, like my staff, we bought the new law books updating the rules of evidence and then there are seminars ongoing.)
Senate President Francis Escudero previously made a categorical stand that the impeachment trial against Duterte will commence after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s ’ fourth State of the Nation Address in July.
Below is the proposed timeline of the impeachment proceedings against Duterte as previously announced by Escudero:
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 – Oathtaking of newly-elected senator-judges before sitting as an impeachment court
July 30 – Start of trial
