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Wednesday, Jul 30, 2025
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Philippine Senate Convenes for Vice President Duterte's Impeachment Trial
Senate president leads oath-taking of 22 senator-judges as trial begins amidst political contention.
The Senate of the Philippines officially convened as an impeachment court on June 10, 2025, to initiate the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
During the proceedings, 22 senators from the 19th Congress took their oaths before Senate President Francis 'Chiz' Escudero, who serves as the presiding officer.
Notably, Senators Cynthia Villar, Imee Marcos, and Robin Padilla did not don the traditional maroon robes, aligning themselves with the Duterte administration.
The oath-taking was briefly delayed to accommodate a privilege speech by Senator Ronald 'Bato' Dela Rosa, who argued for the dismissal of the impeachment case lodged against Duterte in the House of Representatives.
Dela Rosa asserted that the complaint violated a one-year ban on impeachment filings.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino 'Koko' Pimentel Jr. opposed Dela Rosa's speech, indicating it was not part of the formal agenda for the session.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, also a senator-judge, countered Dela Rosa's motion, stating that the trial's dismissal could only be determined by Vice President Duterte herself.
Following discussions, Dela Rosa agreed to amend his motion to propose remanding or returning the impeachment case to the House of Representatives.
Senator Alan Cayetano emphasized that time constraints precluded lengthy debates about dismissing the case based on the grounds asserted by Dela Rosa, which included claims of constitutional violations due to multiple filings of the complaint and the inability to continue the process into the 20th Congress.
Cayetano noted that returning the case to the House could lead to its continuation during the 20th Congress if warranted.
Ultimately, Dela Rosa accepted the proposal to remand the impeachment case for further action.
Prior to the Senate's convening, Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino introduced Senate Resolution No. 1371, advocating for an expedited impeachment trial lasting 19 days.
Tolentino proposed starting and concluding the proceedings, with a verdict to be delivered by June 30, 2025. He referenced similar expedited impeachment trials that occurred in the United States during the impeachments of former President Donald Trump, which were conducted swiftly in January 2020.
During the proceedings, 22 senators from the 19th Congress took their oaths before Senate President Francis 'Chiz' Escudero, who serves as the presiding officer.
Notably, Senators Cynthia Villar, Imee Marcos, and Robin Padilla did not don the traditional maroon robes, aligning themselves with the Duterte administration.
The oath-taking was briefly delayed to accommodate a privilege speech by Senator Ronald 'Bato' Dela Rosa, who argued for the dismissal of the impeachment case lodged against Duterte in the House of Representatives.
Dela Rosa asserted that the complaint violated a one-year ban on impeachment filings.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino 'Koko' Pimentel Jr. opposed Dela Rosa's speech, indicating it was not part of the formal agenda for the session.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, also a senator-judge, countered Dela Rosa's motion, stating that the trial's dismissal could only be determined by Vice President Duterte herself.
Following discussions, Dela Rosa agreed to amend his motion to propose remanding or returning the impeachment case to the House of Representatives.
Senator Alan Cayetano emphasized that time constraints precluded lengthy debates about dismissing the case based on the grounds asserted by Dela Rosa, which included claims of constitutional violations due to multiple filings of the complaint and the inability to continue the process into the 20th Congress.
Cayetano noted that returning the case to the House could lead to its continuation during the 20th Congress if warranted.
Ultimately, Dela Rosa accepted the proposal to remand the impeachment case for further action.
Prior to the Senate's convening, Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino introduced Senate Resolution No. 1371, advocating for an expedited impeachment trial lasting 19 days.
Tolentino proposed starting and concluding the proceedings, with a verdict to be delivered by June 30, 2025. He referenced similar expedited impeachment trials that occurred in the United States during the impeachments of former President Donald Trump, which were conducted swiftly in January 2020.
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