Rowegie Abanto

Newly elected Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian addresses the media in his first press conference outlining his priorities for legislative continuity and institutional stability at the Senate of the Philippines on June 18, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

Newly elected Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian addresses the media in his first press conference outlining his priorities for legislative continuity and institutional stability at the Senate of the Philippines on June 18, 2026. Gatchalian underscored his call to action, “balik trabaho na,” by emphasizing the immediate need for lawmakers to return to work and focus on pending measures, signaling a renewed push for productivity and swift action on key national legislation under his leadership. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

SENATE PRESIDENT SHERWIN GATCHALIAN

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<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/178304673459220260618-senate-sp-sherwin-gatchalian-MT1.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Newly elected Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian addresses the media in his first press conference outlining his priorities for legislative continuity and institutional stability at the Senate of the Philippines on June 18, 2026. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span>MANILA — Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday said he would preside over the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, which begins on July 6, Monday next week.</div><p>Under the Senate Rules, the Senate president leads the impeachment trial, Gatchalian told DZMM.</p><p>In around mid-June, Sen. Panfilo Lacson claimed that Sen. <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/17/lacson-says-escudero-to-preside-over-sara-duterte-impeachment-trial-1602">Francis Escudero</a>, a lawyer, would oversee the Senate proceedings. </p><p>But Gatchalian at the time quickly <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/18/gatchalian-senate-to-still-discuss-presiding-officer-of-vp-duterte-trial-1113">clarified</a> that the matter would still be discussed by the chamber.</p><p>To recall, the Gatchalian bloc amended the Senate impeachment rules to allow the body to pick a different presiding officer in non-presidential trials. </p><p>Gatchalian said he is studying the technicalities in presiding over the impeachment trial as well as the merits of the case, in preparation for the grueling proceedings.</p><p>With a proposed 90 trial days, the proceedings are expected to last 7 to 8 months when hearings are conducted three times a week, he said, noting that the schedule is still being finalized.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/30/senate-very-prepared-for-sara-duterte-impeachment-trial-gatchalian-1445">Senate &#x27;very prepared&#x27; for Sara Duterte impeachment trial on July 6 – Gatchalian</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>CONVICTION THRESHOLD</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The Senate president meanwhile said that the impeachment court would not entertain the proposal to lower the conviction threshold during the first day of the trial.</p><p>He said there is a proper time for the matter to be discussed.</p><p>There are views that the constitutionally mandated two-third vote of the 24-member Senate to convict an impeached officer is not fixed to 16 because of the absences of Senators Ronald Dela Rosa and Jinggoy Estrada.</p><p>Dela Rosa returned to hiding after the unsealing of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for him for alleged crimes against humanity over the drug war, while Estrada has been detained for graft charges in relation to the flood control controversy.</p><p>In the interview, Gatchalian said he expects senators who could physically participate in the trial to be present on Monday.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>SECURITY</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The Philippine National Police on Friday said it would deploy 6,000 personnel around the Senate to secure the opening of Duterte&#x27;s impeachment trial, with intelligence monitoring continuing ahead of the proceedings.</p><p>P/Col. Allen Rae Co, PNP public information office officer-in-charge, said the deployment would only cover areas surrounding the Senate, as they have not received any special request to deploy personnel inside the chamber&#x27;s premises.</p><p>The PNP has also not received any application for the conduct of protest related to the impeachment trial, Co said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><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/U8o_2gUoHmg?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></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/7QlEA4FEoJw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday said he would preside over the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, which begins on July 6 next week.</p>

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday said he would preside over the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, which begins on July 6 next week.

Gatchalian says to preside over Sara Duterte trial

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Gatchalian says to preside over Sara Duterte trial

Rowegie Abanto,

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 03, 2026 11:15 AM PHT

|

Updated July 03, 2026 11:50 AM PHT

Read More:

Sherwin Gatchalian

Sara Duterte

Sara Duterte Trial

Impeachment

impeachment Trial

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.