Davao City — Vice President Sara Duterte expressed readiness for whatever may come from her upcoming impeachment trial at the Senate. She emphasized, “Ang isyu ko lang naman ay ang impeachment. So sinasabi ko na nga na ‘yung impeachment naman, kahit anong mangyari diyan—guilty or acquittal—handa na ako sa kung anong mangyari.”
After casting her vote for the 2025 national and local elections, Duterte shared this in Davao City. Her straightforward acceptance highlights her focus solely on the impeachment issue.
Impeachment trial at Senate: Timeline and preparations
Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives on February 5, with more than 200 congressmen supporting the complaint. The charges include betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, graft, corruption, and other serious offenses.
She leaves the legal groundwork to her lawyers but stays actively involved by guiding them. “Ina-update lang nila ako sa mga challenges na nai-encounter nila sa kanilang paghahanda. As much as kaya ko, tinutulungan ko sila at sinasagot ko ‘yung mga tanong nila. And I point them to the right direction kung saan kukunin ‘yung mga documents for preparations para sa impeachment trial,” she explained.
Meanwhile, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero has set a tentative schedule, with the trial expected to start on July 30. The Articles of Impeachment will be presented on June 2 when the Senate session resumes. The following day, the impeachment court will convene, and the senator-judges will take their oath.
Legal actions and accusations in impeachment trial at Senate
In response to the impeachment, Duterte filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition along with urgent motions for temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction before the Supreme Court.
She claimed that the House of Representatives committed grave abuse of discretion by intentionally delaying action on the first three impeachment complaints. Furthermore, she said the House violated the constitutional one-year ban when it approved the fourth complaint.
Despite the challenges ahead, Vice President Duterte remains composed and focused on the impeachment trial at Senate. She is preparing to face whatever verdict the court will deliver.