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Duterte will have 10 days to respond to the accusations against him, while Congress will have five days to express his opinion on the Vice President’s response.
MANILA, Philippines – Senate to be brought before the prosecution court on Monday, May 18, amid rumors of a Senate leadership shakeup that swirled over the weekend into Monday.
The session came after the first session of the Senate after the general meeting The May 13 shooting incident and Escape of Senator Bato dela Rosa on the 14th of May.
Wearing their red robes, the senators took their oath as senatorial judges, with Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano taking the role of presiding over the court.
Under the 1987 Constitution, senators serve as impeachment court judges tasked with deciding whether or not to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte. Meanwhile, the prosecutors who will defend the articles of impeachment against the Vice President are from the House of Representatives which recently impeached Duterte for the second time by 257 votes.
The Indictment Documents that contain accusations against the Vice President are now in the prosecution court.
Cayetano issued a subpoena, directing Duterte to file an answer to the charges within 10 calendar days after receiving the subpoena. The summons, together with a copy of the articles, shall be sent by the Sergeant of the Senate to the Vice President.
“He is directed to appear before the Senate floor of the Senate of the Philippines for a statement,” the Senate President said.
After receiving Duterte’s response, the House impeachment team will submit their response within five calendar days.
A preliminary hearing – the phase where the parties discuss their evidence to be presented during the trial – will take place shortly afterwards. After the preliminary hearing, Cayetano said the removal court will schedule the trial accordingly.
What if Duterte fails to respond or fails to show up on the day he was summoned? According to Senate removal rules“The case will continue anyway as with a plea of not guilty.”
Duterte became the first Philippine official to be impeached twice after 257 members of the House of Representatives voted to impeach him again on May 11. The Supreme Court decision that ruled the Impeachment Clauses of 2025 unconstitutional.
The latest allegations against Duterte include his threats to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family, allegations of misuse of cryptocurrencies, and allegations of unexplained wealth. – Rappler.com
