Senators take oath as judges in Sara Duterte impeachment trial after delays
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Senators take oath as judges in Sara Duterte impeachment trial after delays
MANILA (UPDATED) — Senators of the 19th Congress on Tuesday night took their oaths as judges and convened as an impeachment court for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
MANILA (UPDATED) — Senators of the 19th Congress on Tuesday night took their oaths as judges and convened as an impeachment court for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
This came after they gave way to the privilege speech of Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, who moved to dismiss the impeachment case of his ally.
This came after they gave way to the privilege speech of Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, who moved to dismiss the impeachment case of his ally.
Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero, who was sworn in as the presiding officer of the impeachment court Monday, said the Senate will rule on the motion of Dela Rosa once they convene as an impeachment court.
Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero, who was sworn in as the presiding officer of the impeachment court Monday, said the Senate will rule on the motion of Dela Rosa once they convene as an impeachment court.
The Senate minority, comprising Sens. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III and Risa Hontiveros, failed to urge the Senate plenary to conduct the entire opening rites of the trial and convene the body as an impeachment court on Monday.
The Senate minority, comprising Sens. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III and Risa Hontiveros, failed to urge the Senate plenary to conduct the entire opening rites of the trial and convene the body as an impeachment court on Monday.
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But after extensive on- and off-the-record discussions, they reached an approved motion: Escudero would take his oath Monday night, and the remaining senator-judges would be sworn in on Tuesday.
But after extensive on- and off-the-record discussions, they reached an approved motion: Escudero would take his oath Monday night, and the remaining senator-judges would be sworn in on Tuesday.
The senators approved the motion after debating the many issues surrounding the impeachment trial, including whether the proceedings could extend into the 20th Congress, what the 1987 Constitution means by "forthwith proceed," whether the body could conclude the trial by the end of the month, and the supposed delays in the trial.
The senators approved the motion after debating the many issues surrounding the impeachment trial, including whether the proceedings could extend into the 20th Congress, what the 1987 Constitution means by "forthwith proceed," whether the body could conclude the trial by the end of the month, and the supposed delays in the trial.
The Senate of the Philippines, led by Senate President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 convened as an impeachment court to try the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte. Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate Social Media Unit
In his speech before his colleagues on Monday, Escudero said the impeachment trial should allow lengthy and free-flowing debate. He argued that the Senate is not only governed by the Constitution but also by its rules, precedents, and jurisprudence from the Supreme Court.
In his speech before his colleagues on Monday, Escudero said the impeachment trial should allow lengthy and free-flowing debate. He argued that the Senate is not only governed by the Constitution but also by its rules, precedents, and jurisprudence from the Supreme Court.
Escudero said in his speech that he would not listen to parties for or against the conviction of impeached Duterte and that he would do what is right and what is stated in the Constitution.
Escudero said in his speech that he would not listen to parties for or against the conviction of impeached Duterte and that he would do what is right and what is stated in the Constitution.
The House of Representatives in February impeached Duterte — who is travelling abroad as the Senate acts on her impeachment trial — for "high crimes" including alleged misuse of confidential funds and an alleged assassination plan for her former ally, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The House of Representatives in February impeached Duterte — who is travelling abroad as the Senate acts on her impeachment trial — for "high crimes" including alleged misuse of confidential funds and an alleged assassination plan for her former ally, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Duterte has denied any wrongdoing, and her defense team recently said they are "ready to confront" the charges in the looming Senate trial.
Duterte has denied any wrongdoing, and her defense team recently said they are "ready to confront" the charges in the looming Senate trial.
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