Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero has set up the administrative support structure for the Senate, which will serve as the Impeachment Court, in anticipation of the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Special Order No. 2025-015 designates the Secretary of the Senate as the Clerk of Court for the impeachment trial, with this appointment effective until the conclusion of the trial.
The Senate Legal Counsel, Senate Deputy Secretary for Legislation, and Senate Sergeant-at-Arms have been assigned to provide legal, technical, administrative, and general staff support to the Clerk of Court.
Additionally, the Senate Legal Counsel and the Deputy Secretary for Legislation have been appointed as Deputy Clerks of the Impeachment Court.
Meanwhile, the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms has been tasked with handling the service of summons, subpoenas, and other legal processes as directed by the Presiding Officer or the Clerk of Court.
The Clerk of Court is responsible for assisting the Presiding Officer in overseeing the administration of the Impeachment Court. This includes managing non-judicial functions, such as recording and reporting proceedings, maintaining court records, preparing and serving notices and summons, and organizing the court calendar.
The Clerk of Court will handle trial-related tasks, administer oaths, ensure the proper filing and distribution of pleadings and submissions, and maintain order by overseeing security and safety measures.
The Senate’s Legal Counsel, Deputy Secretary for Legislation, and Sergeant-at-Arms are assigned to provide legal, technical, administrative, and general staff assistance to the Clerk of Court.
The Legal Counsel is responsible for drafting and preparing legal documents, including subpoenas, writs, summons, orders, resolutions, and decisions. Additionally, it prepares legal memoranda, briefs, and summaries of proceedings and pleadings.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Secretary for Legislation is tasked with drafting Impeachment Court resolutions, organizing the business of the trial, and planning trial-day scenarios.
The Sergeant-at-Arms is responsible for enforcing and overseeing security measures to ensure the safety of the Presiding Officer, Senator-Judges, prosecution and defense teams, witnesses, and guests. It is also responsible for maintaining order within the chamber and its premises throughout the proceedings.