Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero confirmed on Monday that Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial is expected to commence after the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 21 during the 20th Congress.
“Most likely, the trial will begin once the new Congress starts its functions after SONA. Since SONA is set for July 21, the proceedings will likely begin after that date,” Escudero stated during a press conference.
The Senate president made the statement as he confirmed that the impeachment complaint, along with its annexes, has been uploaded to the Senate website for public access.
This move follows the complaint distribution to all 23 senators, ensuring they have ample time to study the document before proceedings begin on June 2.
“Senators have already received copies of the complaint, and the public can now access it on the Senate website. They will also be given a draft of the proposed impeachment rules for review, ensuring that no one will claim they haven’t read it when proceedings begin,” Escudero said in a press briefing.
The rules for the impeachment trial are expected to be distributed within the next two weeks, allowing senators to prepare before Congress reconvenes from its recess.
Signatures verification completed
Escudero also confirmed that the 215 lawmakers who signed the impeachment complaint did so using handwritten, or “wet,” signatures, as required by the Constitution.
“We have verified that all 215 signatures are wet signatures, examined by at least four different people, each reviewing them at least twice,” Escudero stated.
The Senate Secretariat even used an online verification tool to distinguish wet signatures from electronic ones to ensure authenticity.
Escudero clarified that electronic signatures are not valid for impeachment complaints but only for resolutions, proposed bills, and committee reports.
“Our job is straightforward: verify if the signatures were signed before the House Secretary General and confirm that at least 215 signatories are actual House members,” he explained.
With the verification process completed, the Senate is set to handle the impeachment case following constitutional guidelines and precedents, ensuring that no special treatment is given.
Impeachment should not be feared or politicized
Escudero emphasized that impeachment is a constitutional mechanism designed to hold public officials accountable and should not be viewed as a political tool or cause for alarm.
“People talk about impeachment as something to be scared of or avoided. It’s not. It’s a legitimate process meant to ensure accountability,” he said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel.
The House of Representatives impeached Vice President Duterte after over 200 lawmakers signed the complaint, transmitting the documents to the Senate Secretariat on February 5, the last day of Congress’ session before recess.
Calls for a special session were rejected
Some lawmakers have called for a special session to address the impeachment complaint immediately. Still, Escudero dismissed these suggestions, stating that the Constitution does not mandate a special session for pending impeachment cases.
“The Constitution specifies when a special session can be called—such as for urgent legislation, electing a new Vice President if needed, responding to a President’s incapacity, canvassing election results, or during martial law. It does not mention impeachment as a reason for a special session,” Escudero explained.
While the Senate President and congressional leaders have the authority to call a special session, Escudero stressed that impeachment should follow existing procedures without unnecessary exceptions.
A defining moment
Escudero acknowledged that impeachment trials can have long-lasting consequences, not just for the officials being tried but also for senators acting as judges.
“An impeachment trial can make or break a senator. Some lawmakers have thrived under the spotlight, while others became unelectable because of how they handled the trial,” he noted.
He reminded senators that their responsibility is to render justice based on evidence rather than being swayed by public pressure or political considerations.
“It is not our job to convict or acquit based on public opinion. Our role is to ensure that justice is served—whatever that may mean. Some people will be pleased, others will be angry, but we must follow where the evidence leads us—nothing less, nothing more,” he concluded.
With the Senate preparing for one of the most significant political trials in recent history, all eyes will be on how lawmakers handle the case and whether they uphold the principles of fairness, due process, and accountability.