Senate Holds August 4 Impeachment Trial Start
MANILA, Philippines — The August 4 impeachment trial start is now firmly in the hands of the Senate, said La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V on Thursday. He responded to the proposed date for the impeachment court to convene and try Vice President Sara Duterte.
“It’s in the hands of the Senate,” Ortega emphasized, adding that the House of Representatives remains consistent in deferring to the Senate’s schedule. “Scheduling, the different schedule changes, that’s inevitable, so there are unpredictable scenarios,” he explained.
Despite potential shifts in timing, Ortega assured that the House prosecution panel is ready to proceed once the Senate sets the course. The panel has already affirmed its preparedness to present the articles of impeachment sent to the Senate earlier this year.
House Ready to Follow Senate Lead
Ortega stressed that while formal schedules and communications might fluctuate, what truly matters is that the impeachment proceedings finally begin. “To take it more lightly, siguro, there may be a formal schedule and formal communication … But definitely, we will take the lead of the Senate for this one,” he said.
Earlier, a senator revealed that some members of the chamber are advocating for the impeachment court to convene about a week after President Bongbong Marcos’ fourth State of the Nation Address. Though no final decision has been made, four to six senators have reportedly agreed on this proposed timeline.
Senate Plans and Timelines
Sen. Joel Villanueva mentioned that, along with Senate President Escudero, several senators support organizing the impeachment court soon to allow new senator-judges to take their oaths and enable both prosecution and defense teams to face each other promptly.
“Come August 4, we’ll be able to convene the impeachment court, have new senator-judges take their respective oaths and at the same time allow prosecutors and Vice President Sara’s team to face one another,” Villanueva said.
Previously, Senate President Escudero shared a proposed calendar showing the initial oath-taking for new senator-judges on July 29, with the trial commencing the following day, July 30.
For more news and updates on the August 4 impeachment trial start, visit Filipinokami.com.
