By: Pauline Ritchel Ramos
Photo Courtesy: ABS-CBN
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero has formalized the administrative groundwork for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, with proceedings expected to commence by Jul. 30. House prosecutors are pushing for an earlier resolution, potentially concluding the trial before the 19th Congress ends on Jun. 30.
Representative Joel Chua of Manila and Representative Raul Angelo Bongalon of Ako Bicol claim that Escudero's order, Special Order No. 2025-014, started the Senate's trial process. Procedural rules, such as summons issuing and evidence presentation, are established by the order.
Allegations of constitutional infractions, misappropriation of P612.5 million in confidential funds, refusal to disclose assets, and threats against Speaker Martin Romualdez, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. have led to Duterte's impeachment. House prosecutors contend that defending democratic institutions is at stake in this trial, not just one person.
Escudero responded by outlining a preliminary schedule, which might include the impeachment court meeting in early June and exchanging pleadings from June 14 to June 24. On July 29, the newly elected senators from the May midterm elections would take the oath of office, paving the way for the trial's official start the following day.
The Catholic Church has emphasized the need for responsibility and endorsed calls for a prompt and fair trial. The president of Caritas Philippines, Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, emphasized that corruption must be prosecuted with the same severity as other serious crimes.