The Senate is weighing a proposal to move the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte to the afternoon to ensure the hearings run without abrupt interruptions, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson stated on Saturday, August 22.
Lacson shared during a radio interview that the prospective shift gained traction within the majority bloc’s messaging group, with most members favoring a morning schedule for regular legislative sessions.
”Yes, sa aming chat group na-discuss yan, parang majority sa amin. At least sa majority group….’Yan yung parang nagdo-dominate na sentimyento, na opinyon, na gawin natin umaga yung session para sa ganun hindi nakaka-cut short yung impeachment trial,” Lacson said.
Under the prospective framework, the chamber would conduct its standard plenary session from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., paving the way for impeachment deliberations to take place from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Lacson highlighted that an afternoon arrangement removes the hard 7:30 p.m. stop, providing lawmakers the flexibility to extend proceedings until 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. if necessary. Holding the trial in the morning currently forces an adjournment around 2:30 p.m. to accommodate the 3 p.m. plenary session, which risks interrupting active direct or cross-examinations.
”So mas practical na ilipat namin yung session sa umaga at yung impeachment trial sa hapon,” Lacson said.
The proposed schedule change will be discussed during a formal caucus, where members of the minority bloc will also be consulted before any final decision is made.
”I think it’s almost a certainty. I-foformalize na lang yan pagka nagkasundo kami sa caucus,” Lacson said, noting that while the majority retains the deciding vote on the calendar, consulting the minority remains a matter of courtesy.
The lawmaker clarified that any timetable remains flexible depending on the Senate’s legislative workload, with calendar adjustments announced every Wednesday so both prosecution and defense legal teams can prepare their witnesses accordingly.
”Hindi naman pag sinabing nag-decide kami na hapon, hapon na yun forever,” Lacson said.
He noted that the chamber could temporarily switch back to morning sessions if urgent legislative matters arise in the coming months.
For the upcoming week, the trial will maintain its morning slot on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Should senators agree to the afternoon shift, the presiding officer will announce the change on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Lacson expressed doubt that the trial will conclude by December, noting that proceedings remain on the second article of impeachment while the prosecution team has yet to finish presenting its case.
”Sa tingin ko, hindi yung matatapos ng Disyembre. Kasi remember, nasa pangalawang artikulo pa lang tayo at saka prosecution pa lang yan,” Lacson said.
He emphasized that once the prosecution completes its presentation across all four articles, the defense will begin presenting its evidence, followed by prosecution cross-examinations and potential redirect examinations by the defense counsel.