The Senate impeachment court resumed its 10th trial day on July 22, with Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero presiding and Senate President Win Gatchalian leading the opening prayer. Fourteen senators were present as Land Bank personnel prepared to testify on Article I of the impeachment complaint involving the alleged misuse of confidential funds. COURTESY: Senate of the Philippines/YouTube.
Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial will work around the Senate’s deliberations on the proposed 2027 national budget under a schedule adopted by the impeachment court Tuesday.
Presiding officer Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero announced that trial proceedings would run from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 8 and 9, Sept. 14 to 16, Sept. 21 to 23 and Sept. 28 to 30. Regular Senate plenary sessions would begin at 3 p.m. on those dates.
The impeachment court would shift to whole-day proceedings beginning Oct. 1 and 2, followed by Oct. 5 to 9 and Oct. 12 to 15.
Proceedings would then be suspended from Oct. 16 to Nov. 8 to accommodate hearings on the proposed 2027 national budget.
Another break would follow from Nov. 9 to 18 as senators take up the spending measure in plenary.
Escudero said the impeachment court could return to its regular trial schedule on Nov. 19, Nov. 20 or Nov. 24, depending on the completion of the Senate’s work on its version of the budget.
The timetable allows senators to handle the impeachment proceedings alongside their legislative responsibilities during the second regular session of Congress.
Duterte’s trial entered its 23rd day on Sept. 8, with the Senate balancing the impeachment case against a legislative calendar that will increasingly focus on deliberations over the government’s proposed spending program.