Rowegie Abanto

Senators formally convene as an impeachment court to try the complaints filed against Vice President Duterte at the Senate in Pasay City on May 18, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

Senators formally convene as an impeachment court to try the complaints filed against Vice President Duterte at the Senate in Pasay City on May 18, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

VP SARA IMPEACHMENT

ABS-CBN News

<div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178175216759320260518-senate-impeachment-court-MT16.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Senators formally convene as an impeachment court to try the complaints filed against Vice President Duterte at the Senate in Pasay City on May 18, 2026. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span>MANILA<strong> (UPDATE)</strong> — The Senate has yet to discuss who will preside over the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian clarified Thursday.</div><p>At a news conference a day after being installed as the new leader of the chamber, Gatchalian told reporters that the Senate would still have a discussion on the appointment of a presiding officer of the trial, which is slated for next month.</p><p>&quot;Right now, as it stands, I will preside [over the tria],&quot; he said.</p><p>Gatchalian&#x27;s remark came after Sen. Panfilo Lacson said that the majority bloc would <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/17/lacson-says-escudero-to-preside-over-sara-duterte-impeachment-trial-1602">choose Sen. Francis Escudero as presiding officer </a>of the impeachment trial.</p><p>&quot;As per our consensus as of this morning, we will elect Senator Chiz Escudero, if we convene again as the impeachment court, to be the presiding officer,&quot; Lacson said Wednesday.</p><p>The majority led by Gatchalian amended on June 3 the Senate impeachment rules to empower the body to pick a different presiding officer in non-presidential trials.</p><p>The constitution mandates that the Supreme Court Chief Justice preside over presidential trials as in the case of former President Joseph Estrada, while then Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile presided over in the case of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>VOTES TO CONVICT<br/></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Gatchalian meanwhile maintained that <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/10/gatchalian-16-votes-needed-for-conviction-at-impeachment-trial-1554">16 votes are needed to convict Duterte</a>. He said he does not want to preempt the moves of the prosecution team regarding the matter.</p><p>On Thursday, the legal team of Vice President Sara Duterte and the House prosecution panel met for a <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/18/sara-duterte-impeachment-pre-trial-conference-starts-0946">pre-impeachment trial conference</a>, which serves as the initial gathering of both panels before the senator-judges formally begin the proceedings.</p><p>Members of the House prosecution team previously said they are in favor of lowering the conviction threshold because two of the 24 senators are not able to physically report to the Senate — Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa, who is in hiding, and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada who is in detention due to graft charges.</p><p>As to whether the impeachment court will be open to entertaining a possible motion to lower the conviction threshold, Gatchalian said, &quot;I cannot predict kung ano yung mga issues na lalabas doon. But as far as I&#x27;m concerned, I will uphold what is written in the Constitution.&quot;</p><p>Gatchalian meanwhile said the biggest challenge with regard to the impeachment trial is logistics. He mentioned that the prosecution and defense want their own huddle room and media room while senators also have their own requirements.</p><p>He also pointed out the constitutional requirement of opening the trial to the public.</p><p>Gatchalian assured that they will try to accommodate everyone and guaranteed the safety and orderly conduct of the impeachment.</p><p>He added they will have an all senators’ caucus before the impeachment trial on July 6 to discuss the outcome of the pre-trial conference, Senate security and schedule, among other topics.<strong> — Reports from Victoria Tulad and RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News</strong></p><div> </div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><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/zRRuEfqENgM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><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/x5rxwm-FgYw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Senate has yet to discuss who will preside over the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian clarified Thursday.</p>

The Senate has yet to discuss who will preside over the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian clarified Thursday.

Gatchalian clarifies Senate to discuss presiding officer for Sara Duterte impeachment trial

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Gatchalian clarifies Senate to discuss presiding officer for Sara Duterte impeachment trial

Rowegie Abanto,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 18, 2026 11:13 AM PHT

|

Updated June 18, 2026 01:35 PM PHT

Read More:

Sherwin Gatchalian

Senate

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.