The Senate is targeting August 4, a Monday, as the opening day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.
Speaking at the Kapihan sa Maynila Bay forum, Senator Joel Villanueva explained that July 28—the original date floated—is unlikely due to it being the first day of the 20th Congress and the date of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA).
“If SONA (State of the Nation Address) is (July) 28, so you’re looking at the week after, August 4. We’re looking at August 4 to convene,” Villanueva stated.
He added that a week would be necessary to prepare both the defense and prosecution teams.
“It looks like we are going to wait for one week to organize ourselves… at ang House ganun din po, and then a week after we can convene the impeachment court and have the defense and the prosecution present their cases,” Villanueva explained.
July 28 will mark the official opening of the 20th Congress at 10 AM, where lawmakers are expected to elect the Senate President and House Speaker prior to President Marcos Jr.’s SONA.
Vice President Duterte earlier confirmed she will not attend the SONA and instead plans to travel to South Korea to meet with the Filipino community.