Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Monday expressed his view that Vice President Sara Duterte should personally attend her impeachment trial if the case reaches the Senate, calling it the most appropriate venue for her to address the allegations directly.
While Sotto noted that the Senate’s impeachment rules do not mandate the physical presence of the respondent, he emphasized that appearing before the chamber would be the proper course of action for her defense.
“Dapat umattend. Mas magandang umattend. Wala naman sa rules namin na sinasabing compelled to attend, pero dapat naman siguro,” Sotto said in a radio interview.
STREAMLINING THE PROCESS THROUGH PRE-TRIAL
The Senate President detailed a strategy to ensure the proceedings are efficient and organized, drawing from his previous experience with high-profile impeachment cases.
He plans to implement pre-trial proceedings before the trial proper begins.
- Purpose: To organize evidence, identify witnesses, and establish a clear timeline.
- Legal Basis: Sotto noted that the Rules of Court serve as a suppletory to the Senate’s own impeachment rules.
- Expediting the Case: The pre-trial phase will involve the “markings of evidence” and the determination of witnesses to prevent delays during the main hearings.
“Ang gagawin ko dito, based on experience, pre-trial muna before the trial proper. Dapat mayroon na doon yung mga tinatawag na markings of evidence, yung determination ng mga witness para ma-expedite naman namin yung kaso and manage the court,” Sotto explained.
TIMELINE AND CURRENT STATUS
The push for a Senate trial gained significant momentum on Monday after the House Committee on Justice unanimously approved its committee report and the corresponding Articles of Impeachment. The measure now heads to the House plenary for a vote; if at least 106 members (one-third of the House) approve, the articles will be formally transmitted to the Senate.
Sotto indicated that if the transmittal occurs by mid-May, the Senate could begin the trial proper by mid-June 2026.
He reiterated his commitment to neutrality, stating that his “phone is out of service” to any potential lobbyists and that the chamber will act as an impartial jury.