Senate Impeachment Court Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero expressed optimism on Tuesday, August 25, that proceedings regarding Vice President Sara Duterte will conclude prior to the end of the year, even as the chamber prepares for upcoming deliberations on the proposed 2027 national budget.
The statement followed an inquiry from Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, who raised concerns about potential scheduling conflicts with the upcoming budget hearings.
Zubiri noted that balancing committee hearings and plenary debates on the national budget could extend workdays to Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, placing a heavy workload on senators and technical staff.
“Are we going to finish this before the December break?” Zubiri asked, seeking clarity on whether the trial might extend into February so the chamber can adjust its legislative calendar accordingly.
Zubiri also highlighted the burden placed on the Senate Committee on Finance, noting that its leadership expressed reservations about managing national budget deliberations alongside trial duties.
Responding to the concerns, Escudero affirmed he was “optimistic and hopeful” that the impeachment trial would wrap up before year-end. However, he emphasized that establishing a definitive trial timeline requires waiting for the Finance Committee to finalize its calendar for the budget.
“Given that is the most important piece of legislation that the Senate, as a legislative body, is supposed to pass, we have to allocate enough time for that to ensure its passage before the end of the year,” Escudero explained.
He added that the Senate must also account for bicameral conference committee meetings and input from the House of Representatives regarding the General Appropriations Bill.
Once the national budget schedule is set, Escudero assured that the Senate will evaluate whether adjustments to the impeachment calendar are necessary and decide on appropriate steps moving forward.