Senate preparing for Duterte impeachment trial in July pending SC ruling

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Senate has begun preparations for the trial of impeached Vice President Sara Duterte in July amid three Supreme Court petitions that either seek to expedite the process or halt it entirely.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Feb. 19, Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero revealed logistical arrangements, including an inspection of the witness stand and tables used during the 2012 impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

He said these will be reused after a fresh coat of varnish, and even shared a photo of a mock-up set up on Tuesday.

“Bahagi ng paghahanda ng Senado ‘yon. Ininspeksyon kung kinain na nga ba ng anay ‘yong mga dating ginamit na lamesa at witness stand. Ni-locate, nilagay sa kanya kanyang lugar at nang makita kung ano pa ‘yong mga kailangang gawin at paghandaan,” Escudero said.

“Dahil naisampa na ang impeachment may katiyakan na magkakaroon ng impeachment trial at kailangan itong paghandaan ng Senado,” he added.

[Translation: That is part of the Senate's preparation. They inspected whether the old tables and witness stand were eaten by termites. They were located and placed in their respective places to see what else needs to be done and prepared. Since the impeachment has been filed, it is certain that there will be an impeachment trial, and the Senate needs to prepare for it.]

Escudero also said Senate authorities are canvassing robes for the senators who will sit as judges in the impeachment court. Each robe could cost up to P8,000, while the total logistical expenses may reach up to P1 million.

Asked about the petition filed by Duterte urging the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order and eventually nullify the Articles of Impeachment sent by the House of Representatives to the Senate, Escudero stated that the Senate will fulfill its constitutional duty to conduct the trial unless there is a stay order.

“Marahil providential na hindi kami natuloy sa trial dahil nag-recess kami para lahat ng mga bagay na ito ay maidulog na sa Korte Suprema, mapagpasyahan na ng Korte Suprema para wala nang pipigil o aantala pa sa trial ng Senado na mga ganitong uri ng teknikalidad o issue na maaaring i-bring up ng nasasakdal na si VP Sara,” Escudero said.

[Translation: Perhaps it was providential that the trial did not proceed because we went on recess, allowing all these matters to be brought before the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court will decide on them so that there will be no further delays or obstacles in the Senate trial due to these kinds of technicalities or issues that the accused, VP Sara, may raise.]

Meanwhile, amid another court petition and calls for the immediate convening of the impeachment court, Escudero reiterated that the earliest this could happen is at the start of the 20th Congress in July.

“Tandaan ninyo matatapos ang term ng 12 senador pagkatapos ng June 30. ‘Yong sinasabi kong palitan ng dokumento tapos na ‘yong June 30 doon. So 12 lang ang senador, paano naman kami magta-trial ng 12, siguradong panalo na ‘yong nasasakdal dahil walang two-thirds ‘di ba?” Escudero said.

[Translation: Remember, the term of 12 senators will end after June 30. The document exchange I’m talking about will be done by June 30. So, with only 12 senators, how can we conduct the trial? The accused is sure to win because there won’t be a two-thirds majority, right?]

Meanwhile, former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, in a position paper, urged the Senate to take preliminary actions, such as sending a copy of the Articles of Impeachment to Duterte and requesting her response.

Escudero said that, for now, the office of Senate Secretary Rey Bantug and the legal department are drafting the proposed rules of impeachment, which could be approved when the session resumes on June 2.

Once authorized to issue summons, Escudero said he will issue one to Duterte, allowing her time to respond to the allegations.