Senate pauses VP Sara Duterte impeachment trial for SONA, sets new August timetable

The Senate impeachment court trial of Vice President Sara Duterte will pause next week for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) before resuming on July 29 under a restructured weekly schedule.

Senate President and Presiding Officer Francis "Chiz" Escudero announced that trial proceedings will be suspended on Monday, July 27, for the President’s fifth SONA, and on Tuesday, July 28, for the minority bloc’s traditional "Kontra-SONA."

The trial will reconvene on Wednesday, July 29, at 10 a.m.

Starting in August, the court will shift to a compressed three-day schedule—hearing trial evidence from Monday to Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., followed immediately by regular Senate plenary sessions at 4 p.m.

Ahead of the SONA recess, the court convened Wednesday afternoon, July 22, to continue cross-examining National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag regarding Article IV of the impeachment complaint.

Article IV accuses Duterte of making grave threats and plotting to assassinate President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Escudero indicated that once Matibag’s testimony concludes, the trial will transition to Article I, which alleges the misuse of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds. As a consequence of the revised trial calendar, subpoenas issued to Landbank representatives Violeta Constantino and Nenita Camposano have been temporarily recalled.

-Paraluman News