The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is expected to conclude within two months once it officially begins, potentially wrapping up before the end of August, according to a House prosecution panel member.
Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon shared the timeline during a television interview, expressing confidence that both the prosecution and defense presentations will move swiftly.
“Napo-foresee po namin yung kabuuan po ng pagdinig ay matatapos po within two months…. kasama na rin ho yung presintasyon ng depensa,” Ridon said.
We foresee that the entirety of the proceedings will be finished within two months… including the presentation of the defense.
“Tingin ko hindi ho lalagpas ng Agosto tapos na tapos na ho ang pagdinig,” he added.
I think the hearings will be completely finished no later than August.
Ridon welcomed the Senate impeachment court’s decision to schedule the formal trial’s opening on July 6, stating that the House prosecution panel is fully prepared to present its evidence against the Vice President.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami na itinakda na po ng Senate impeachment court yun pong petsa po ng unang araw ng pagdinig. Handang-handa naman po yung prosecution panel na maglatag na po ng ebidensya sa impeachment po ni Vice President Sara Duterte,” Ridon remarked.
We are grateful that the Senate impeachment court has set the date for the first day of the hearing. The prosecution panel is very much ready to lay down the evidence for the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Tama lang naman po itong petsa na ito, hindi naman po ito matagal na matagal mula doon sa convening po ng Senate impeachment court… Hindi naman po malayo yung July 6 schedule,” he added.
This date is just right, it’s not too long from the convening of the Senate impeachment court… The July 6 schedule is not too far off.
The timeline follows the House of Representatives’ vote to impeach Duterte on May 11, followed by the Senate formally convening as an impeachment court one week later.
Pre-trial milestones are already underway. The Senate court has served the Articles of Impeachment to the Vice President’s office, giving her a 10-day window to file her formal response.
The House prosecution panel will then have five days to reply to her submission. Following these exchanges, a pre-trial conference has been scheduled for June 15 ahead of the July trial.