Metro Manila, Philippines – The Impeachment Court convened on Monday, May 18, for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano is the court presiding officer.

The rumored Senate leadership change did not happen, though the Senate, before convening the court, formally recognized the minority bloc with 11 senators, while the majority stayed at 13, including Senator Bato dela Rosa who was absent.

Without Dela Rosa, who has gone into hiding again over an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, the majority is down to 12 senators — just a vote shy in case a division of the house is called for a new leadership again.

Senator-judges donned their maroon robes and took their oath of office, vowing to remain impartial in the proceedings.

The session was short as the court just took judicial notice of the transmittal by the House of Representatives of the Articles of Impeachment.