Metro Manila, Philippines – The Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte was transmitted to the Senate in an orderly manner after gunshots rang out and caused a commotion at the chamber’s building on Wednesday evening, May 13, House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil said.

Records showed that the Senate received the documents and the box containing the tax records of Duterte and her spouse, Mans Carpio, at 7:22 p.m.

Initial reports from authorities said unidentified people tried to enter the second floor of the Senate building where the gunshots were heard at 7:46 pm.

“Throughout the process, the House of Representatives remained focused on fulfilling its constitutional duty faithfully, professionally, and without disruption,” said Garafil in a statement on Thursday, April 14.

“Despite the heightened political atmosphere surrounding the proceedings, the House Secretariat remained guided solely by its constitutional mandate and institutional responsibilities,” she added.

Garafil said House personnel saw the proper reproduction, verification, and transmission of the documents.

Ahead of the submission, Sen. Imee Marcos — a staunch Duterte ally — hit the House for supposedly delaying the submission and controlling the timing of the impeachment proceedings.

Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon, one of the 11 House prosecutors, said the House needed time to reproduce thousands of documents for the senators who will sit as judges in the Impeachment Court.

A total of 257 House members impeached Duterte on Monday, May 11 over allegations of fund misuse, threats to the presidential family, and unexplained wealth.

On the same day, the Senate elected a new leader after Sen. Bato dela Rosa’s sudden appearance from his months-long absence amid reports of an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court against him tied to the Duterte drug war.

Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano will sit as presiding officer of the Impeachment Court.