Cheyenne Suarez

Hontiveros hopes public stays engaged with impeachment amid potential schedule changes

Article (news)

Chalssea Kate Echegoyen

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Senate is considering changes to the schedule of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte as senators juggle the proceedings with regular sessions, committee hearings and deliberations on the 2027 national budget, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said Tuesday.Hontiveros acknowledged concerns that the trial’s pace could cause the public to lose interest in a proceeding that is expected to determine Duterte’s political fate.“Definitely ayaw kong mag-disengage ang publiko dito dahil napaka-importanteng proseso,” Hontiveros said in an interview with Headstart.(Definitely, we don&#x27;t want the public to disengage from this very important process.)<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/22/senators-to-tackle-impeachment-sked-in-meeting-ahead-of-monday-s-trial-tulfo-1355">Senators to tackle impeachment sked in meeting ahead of Monday&#x27;s trial—Tulfo</a></div>She said the Senate is discussing what schedule would allow senators to fulfill their different responsibilities while still giving the public sufficient access to the impeachment proceedings.Hontiveros acknowledged public feedback calling for a more intensive trial schedule, including proposals to hold proceedings Mondays to Fridays.Trial days are currently held Mondays to Wednesdays. Legislative sessions are held in the afternoons.“Huwebes at minsan Biyernes na lang natitira para sa hearings,” she said.(Sometimes we only have Thursdays and Fridays for committee hearings.)<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/23/change-of-trial-schedule-will-allow-public-to-monitor-hearings-prosecution-spox-2054">Change of schedule in VP Duterte&#x27;s impeachment trial to give public more opportunity to monitor hearings, says prosecution spox</a></div>Senate President Sherwin &quot;Win&quot; Gatchalian has floated the idea of holding budget hearings on Saturdays so senators can hold more deliberations on next year&#x27;s government spending plan.

The Senate is considering changes to the schedule of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte as senators juggle the proceedings with regular sessions, committee hearings and deliberations on the 2027 national budget, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said Tuesday.

The Senate is considering changes to the schedule of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte as senators juggle the proceedings with regular sessions, committee hearings and deliberations on the 2027 national budget, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said Tuesday.