The new senator-judges in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte are anticipated to take their oath before the Senate President no earlier than July 29, as the Senate impeachment court prepares for a “transparent, fair, and legally sound” process, according to its spokesperson on Tuesday.
Senate impeachment court spokesperson Regie Tongol informed reporters during a press briefing that six of the eleven major steps in the procedural framework—approximately 55 percent—have been completed.
However, he noted that the formal oath-taking of the senator-judges cannot occur without the presence of a presiding officer, who will be elected after the opening of the 20th Congress on July 28.
“As you know, if one Congress adjourns, another begins. The Senate President is going to be elected or re-elected again,” Tongol explained.
“The senator-judges will have to take their oath before the presiding officer… Ayaw po ng presiding officer na magkaroon ng kwestyon doon sa proseso o step ng panunumpa na maaari pang ma-kwestyon (The presiding officer does not want any questions or doubts to arise about the oath-taking process or step that could later be challenged),” he added.
The new senator-judges include Erwin Tulfo, Camille Villar, Bam Aquino, Kiko Pangilinan, Ping Lacson, Tito Sotto, and Rodante Marcoleta.
Tongol indicated that July 28 is typically reserved for the ceremonial opening of Congress, making July 29 the earliest possible date for the swearing-in.
He reiterated the importance of the certification and authorization documents required from the House of Representatives, emphasizing that these are “not procedural traps,” but safeguards intended to maintain the legality and legitimacy of the trial.
“These certification processes help prevent any legal impediments or technicalities that could undermine the impeachment process once it starts rolling. The disrespect for or attempts to undermine the impeachment court processes threaten the independence and credibility of the court and jeopardize public trust in the process itself,” he stated.
Tongol compared the requirement to common practices in corporations, where authority is documented through board resolutions and secretary certificates. “So Congress, as a collegial body, is expected to also do the same,” he said.
When asked if the House could submit both the certification to proceed and the authorization of the new set of prosecutors simultaneously, Tongol responded: “As a matter of efficiency, the House may elect whatever they want to do on how to comply with those two processes.”