The Senate is gearing up to begin the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on July 6, following a high-level caucus led by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, Senator Erwin Tulfo disclosed on Thursday.
In a television interview, Tulfo revealed that Cayetano has already laid out the proposed timeline to the members of the upper chamber.
“Nagbigay na po ng schedule kahapon. Ipinatawag po ng caucus of all members ni SP Cayetano at July 6 po ang umpisa ng ika nga impeachment trial,” Tulfo stated.
A schedule was given yesterday. A caucus of all members was called by SP Cayetano and July 6 is the start of the so-called impeachment trial.
To balance their legislative duties with the trial, Tulfo explained that the Senate will split its daily agenda, prioritizing regular sessions in the morning before shifting into an impeachment court in the afternoon from Mondays to Wednesdays.
“Monday po, may session kami sa umaga, 10 to 1. At pagkatapos po noon 2 o’clock to sawa ng Monday ay yun na po yung impeachment trial. Tuesday, Wednesday ganun din po. Three o’clock po mag-uumpisa ng hapon hanggang gabi. And then Thursday, puro session lang po,” he added.
On Monday, we have a session in the morning, 10 to 1. And after that, from 2 o’clock until whenever on Monday, that will be the impeachment trial. Tuesday and Wednesday will be the same. It will start at 3 o’clock in the afternoon until night. And then Thursday, it will be purely regular sessions.
The development comes after the Senate formally convened as an impeachment court earlier this week, officially giving the Vice President a 10-day window, or until June 1, to file her formal response to the impeachment charges.