Tolentino files resolution seeking to end Sara Duterte trial by June 30

RG Cruz

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) — Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino on Tuesday formally filed a resolution seeking to end the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte by June 30, 2025.</p><p>Tolentino has proposed a 19-day trial for Duterte, which targets to convene the impeachment court on Wednesday, June 11, and reach a verdict by the end of the month.</p><p>&quot;Without compromising the integrity of the Senate and the substance of the impeachment trial, including the rights of the parties, there is a need to adopt an expedited trial calendar that affords the parties a full and fair opportunity to articulate their respective positions,&quot; Tolentino said.</p><p>He added this is &quot;to ensure the resolution of the case before the expiration of the term of the current Congress at noon on the 30th day of June 2025.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/8/ex-sc-justice-vp-sara-impeachment-trial-can-continue-in-20th-congress-but-must-start-in-19th-1311">Ex-SC justice: VP Sara impeachment trial can continue in 20th Congress but must start in 19th</a></div><p>Tolentino cited the short Senate trials of US President Donald Trump, who was twice impeached and twice acquitted.</p><div><br/></div><p><strong></strong>Here&#x27;s Tolentino&#x27;s proposed timeline:</p><p>June 11 - convening of the Senate impeachment court</p><p>June 11-21 - period of submission of answers by the Duterte camp</p><p>June 22 - prosecutors reply</p><p>June 23 - submission of trial briefs, opening statements</p><p>June 24-25 - prosecution&#x27;s presentation of evidence </p><p>June 25-26 - defense presentation of evidence </p><p>June 27 - rebuttal of the prosecution and defense</p><p>June 28 - oral arguments for the defense and prosecution</p><p>June 29 - closed-door meeting by senator-judges </p><p>June 30 - verdict</p><div><br/></div><p>&quot;The adoption of said calendar enables the Senate to resolve the trial within the term of the 19th Congress, thereby avoiding the unresolved and constitutionally precarious implications of allowing such proceedings to extend to the next Congress,&quot; Tolentino said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/10/escudero-oath-in-duterte-impeachment-trial-what-happens-next-1006">Escudero oath in Duterte impeachment trial: What happens next?</a></div><p>Senate President Francis Escudero previously rejected the expedited timetable, saying he believes the impeachment trial should allow lengthy and free-flowing debate.</p><p>Escudero on Tuesday said the timetable of the trial would be decided by the impeachment court.</p><p>1-RIDER party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez, a member of the House prosecution panel, has also rejected the proposal, saying the allotted time for the presentation of evidence based on <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/9/19-days-for-sara-duterte-impeachment-trial-not-enough-prosecutor-1557">Tolentino&#x27;s proposed schedule is &quot;not enough.&quot;</a></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong><br/><br/><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gd7RtZVJZ5w?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong></div>

<p>Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino on Tuesday filed a resolution seeking to end the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte by June 30.</p>

Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino on Tuesday filed a resolution seeking to end the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte by June 30.