It’s official: Senate impeachment court to convene for VP Duterte’s trial on June 3

Metro Manila, Philippines - Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s proposed timeline for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is now unfolding.

In a letter dated May 19, Escudero formally informed House Speaker Martin Romualdez that the Senate will convene as an impeachment court on June 3 at 9:00 a.m. This move will pave the way for the issuance of summons and other necessary orders.

Prior to this, the Articles of Impeachment will be read in open session on June 2, the first day of the resumption of session.

“Pursuant to Rule I of the Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trials, we would like to inform your good office that, having taken proper order on the impeachment of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, the Senate shall be ready to receive the House of Representatives’ panel of prosecutors at 4 o’clock in the afternoon of June 2, 2025,” Escudero wrote.

“As stated in our letter dated February 24, 2025, the Senate shall expect the prosecution to read the seven charges under the Articles of Impeachment in open session,” he added.

Duterte is the first sitting vice president to be impeached by the House of Representatives, prompting a trial before the Senate. The charges against her center on the alleged misuse of confidential funds and threats directed at President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family.

Eleven members of the House will serve as prosecutors, while all 24 senators will sit as senator-judges, with the Senate president presiding over the proceedings.

Following extensive debate over whether the impeachment trial could begin during the congressional break, Escudero has maintained that the earliest the court can convene is upon the resumption of session on June 2.

He released his proposed calendar in February, noting that it would still require the approval of his fellow senators. Under this timeline, the impeachment trial is set to formally open on July 30.