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Vice President Sara Duterte, June 25, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

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PRIDE MONTH EVENT- VP Sara

RG Cruz

Ched Rick Gatchalian

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175282540731720250625-kasarilayaan-duterte-MT15.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Vice President Sara Duterte, June 25, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </div>MANILA — Some senators on Friday gave varying opinions on the possibility that the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte could start on August 4. Following reports that the impeachment trial could start a week after the opening of the 20th Congress, Sen. Bam Aquino said he had consulted several lawyers and experts to prepare for the responsibilities of a senator-judge.   “Bubusisiing mabuti ang mga ebidensyang ipepresenta, magiging mapanuri, at bukas ang mata at isip sa proseso. Sundin ang Konstitusyon — tuloy ang trial sa August 4,” he said on Facebook. The senator also shared photos of himself fitting the robe that senator-judges would wear during the trial. “Malaki at mabigat ang katungkulan ito pero handa tayong gawin ang nakasaad sa Saligang Batas. Tayo ay magiging patas, matapang at sisiguraduhing walang papanigan sa ating pagdedesisyon,” Aquino added.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBenignoBamAquino%2Fposts%2Fpfbid026z7xstiEhJBnJu5PPjrejmsNvf7C4VFSfjt88XG6EnahWcDUUEF4dHjVvxdwWCWdl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="250" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Sen. Vicente Sotto III sounded open to the reported schedule. &quot;As long as they start it at the soonest possible time because they have delayed it considerably,&quot; he said. Sen. Panfilo Lacson said senators “may have to discuss the proposition in plenary, and find out the justification for the delayed convening of the impeachment court to Aug. 4, then vote on it.” “Whatever the majority of the 24 senators will decide, we should follow, but not without manifesting or explaining our votes, if some of us would choose to,&quot; Lacson said. &quot;As a senator-judge, I want to hear or participate in the discussion of any major issue involved in the impeachment process before making a decision because it is a constitutional duty,&quot; he added.  Sen. Francis &quot;Kiko&quot; Pangilinan said he would &quot;seek clarification on reports of a proposed resetting of the impeachment trial.&quot; &quot;Let me reiterate my position: I support the continuation of the impeachment proceedings. The Constitution is clear: once the articles of impeachment are transmitted to the Senate, the trial shall forthwith proceed. There must be no undue delay,&quot; he said in a statement. &quot;As senators, we are constitutionally bound to sit as judges and ensure that the process moves forward with fairness, integrity, and urgency. Under our Constitution, the Senate is not only a legislative body—it is a court of impeachment. And we are duty bound to uphold and defend the Constitution,&quot; Pangilinan added. The House of Representatives impeached Duterte in early February on charges of graft, corruption and an alleged assassination plot against former ally and running mate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.A guilty verdict in the Senate would result in her removal from office and a lifetime ban from Philippine politics.But after convening as an impeachment court on June 10, the Senate immediately sent the case back to the House, questioning its constitutionality.Duterte allies in the Senate had argued that earlier complaints heard in the House without a vote counted as multiple impeachment hearings within a single year, a violation of the country&#x27;s 1987 constitution.A copy of Duterte&#x27;s reply to the trial summons in June called the complaint against her an abuse of the impeachment process.&quot;There are no statements of ultimate facts in the (impeachment complaint). Stripped of its &#x27;factual&#x27; and legal conclusions, it is nothing more than a scrap of paper,&quot; the response read.It went on to deny the allegations made against her as &quot;false&quot; and state that the Senate&#x27;s decision to remand the case to the House removed her responsibility to answer them.<div>— With a report from Agence France-Presse </div>

Some senators gave varying opinions on the possibility that the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte could start on August 4.

Some senators gave varying opinions on the possibility that the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte could start on August 4.

Senators split on Aug. 4 start of Sara Duterte impeachment trial

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Senators split on Aug. 4 start of Sara Duterte impeachment trial

RG Cruz,

Ched Rick Gatchalian,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 18, 2025 04:04 PM PHT

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Updated Jul 18, 2025 05:12 PM PHT

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