MANILA, Philippines — The leadership of several educational institutions, including the deans of the Ateneo Schools, the Lasallian Family, and Adamson University, has expressed their support for the expedited commencement of the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte.

This announcement aligns with increasing calls for accountability as the political climate shifts ahead of the impending changes in the legislative session.

The deans of law schools from multiple Ateneo institutions released a letter advocating for the Senate to urgently proceed with the impeachment trial.

They have emphasized the necessity for a fair and impartial process, highlighting the constitutional obligation of the Senate to act promptly and decisively.

Their statement called for the Senate to honor its duties as mandated by the Constitution, reinforcing the principle that public office is a public trust that must be respected and protected.

In their statement, the Lasallian Family articulated their collective condemnation of any attempts to disrupt or obstruct the impeachment process, asserting that the senators must take principled action rather than remaining neutral.

Adamson University’s leadership echoed these sentiments, urging senators to uphold their oaths and focus on what is right rather than what is convenient.

Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino has proposed a timeline that could see the impeachment trial wrapped up by June 30, before the expiration of the 19th Congress.

According to Tolentino, the Senate possesses the constitutional authority to create rules for an expedited impeachment process.

He outlined a schedule that would allow for a swift resolution, with significant milestones leading up to a verdict by the end of June.

This expedited process requires cooperation from both the prosecution and Vice President Duterte's legal team.

Tolentino’s timeline includes convening the impeachment court on June 11, with various procedural deadlines leading up to oral arguments on June 28 and a potential final verdict just two days later.

He indicated that in order to facilitate this expedited schedule, the prosecution may need to limit the number of articles of impeachment presented.

Notably, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has stated that the Senate must proceed with the impeachment trial regardless of any resolutions aimed at dismissing the case.

He underscored the importance of the Senate fulfilling its responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution, warning that failure to do so could lead to public calls for the abolition of the Senate due to perceived inaction.

Meanwhile, incoming Akbayan party-list representative Chel Diokno stressed that the Senate’s role as an impeachment court is distinct from its legislative duties.

He maintained that the Senate's obligation to conduct the impeachment trial remains intact, despite any legislative deadlines.

As the situation evolves, the pressure on the Senate increases, with public scrutiny of its actions and the broader implications for governance and accountability in the Philippines becoming central concerns.