By Benny Reyes
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate on Monday, May 18, officially convened as an impeachment court following the House of Representatives’ transmission of the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Senator-judges took their oaths as the chamber moved into its constitutional role, marking the formal start of the impeachment court process.
However, officials emphasized that this stage does not yet represent the start of the actual trial. The proceedings will first focus on preliminary matters, including the submission of pleadings by both prosecution and defense teams and a pre-trial phase for evidence preparation.
The Constitution does not impose a strict timeline for impeachment trials, only requiring the Senate to act within a “reasonable time,” as interpreted by the Supreme Court.
The complaint against Duterte involves allegations of misuse of confidential funds and betrayal of public trust.
The Senate remains under the leadership of Alan Peter Cayetano amid shifting political alignments within the chamber.
