The impeachment court proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte are expected to commence on July 30 of this year.
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero confirmed this after releasing a memorandum and the schedule for the impeachment trial.
However, Escudero acknowledged that this timeline could change if the senators engage in lengthy debates regarding the rules that the impeachment court will establish when they reconvene on June 2 after their recess.
If the proposed schedule is followed, the senators will discuss the rules on June 2, and they are expected to take their oaths as senator-judges on June 3.
Following this, they will send a summons to Duterte, and upon her response, the prosecution will be required to reply as well.
A one-month timeframe is necessary from the issuance of the summons, which means the trial will take place in July.
When the senators return on July 29, those who did not take their oaths during the 19th Congress will need to do so, along with the newly elected senators.
Escudero proposed that the trial sessions should run from 9 AM to 2 PM, after which they will fulfill their legislative duties starting at 3 PM.
The Senate will also allow committee hearings to take place during sessions, but these will be suspended if the presence of senators is required for significant matters in the Senate chamber.
Escudero further clarified that they have not yet secured a legal team due to the withdrawal of their initial contact over the sensitive political nature of the case.
He emphasized that the contents of the memorandum he issued have already been discussed and documented to ensure formality. (NINO ACLAN)
