Impeachment trial of VP Sara Duterte expected to begin July 6

Senator Erwin Tulfo on Thursday said the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is expected to begin on July 6 following a caucus among senators.

Speaking to reporters, Tulfo said Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano had already presented the proposed schedule to members of the chamber during an all-member caucus.

“Nagbigay na po ng schedule kahapon. Ipinatawag po ng caucus of all members ni SP Cayetano at July 6 po ang umpisa ng ika nga impeachment trial,” Tulfo said.

Tulfo said the Senate plans to conduct regular sessions in the morning before shifting to impeachment proceedings in the afternoon from Monday to Wednesday.

“Monday po, may session kami sa umaga, 10 to 1. At pagkatapos po noon 2 o’clock to sawa ng Monday ay yun na po yung impeachment trial. Tuesday, Wednesday ganun din po. Three o'clock po mag-uumpisa ng hapon hanggang gabi. And then Thursday, puro session lang po,” he added.

The senator also rejected the proposal of Rodante Marcoleta to allow Ronald dela Rosa to participate and vote in the impeachment proceedings remotely while facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court.

“Marami po sa amin, kami po sa minorya, hindi po sasang-ayon diyan. Kailangan po physically present,” Tulfo said.

Tulfo pointed out that remote participation in Senate proceedings was only permitted during the COVID-19 pandemic because of lockdown restrictions.

He added that senators are still waiting for guidance from Cayetano and Senate leadership on the chamber’s official response after the Supreme Court denied Dela Rosa’s request for a temporary restraining order against the ICC warrant.

-Paraluman News