The Senate may convene as an impeachment court this month and start a full trial of Vice President Sara Duterte in June, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said. This timeline depends on the House of Representatives approving the complaint. Duterte faces accusations of misusing confidential funds and other charges.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson told radio dzMM that if the House approves the impeachment complaint in plenary upon session resumption, the Senate could convene as impeachment court within days of transmittal, with trial starting after at least three weeks.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III stressed no delay in convening the court as a constitutional duty. Lacson clarified that 'forthwith,' as per the 1987 Constitution, means immediately, though a pre-trial conference would precede the full trial to stipulate evidence. He recalled confusion from surprise witnesses in the 2012 Chief Justice Renato Corona impeachment.
A Supreme Court temporary restraining order could stall proceedings, but the trial would continue otherwise, Lacson said. "The impeachment court is a co-equal branch, and its decisions cannot be appealed to the Supreme Court," he added, urging senators to act impartially.
If Duterte resigns before trial conclusion, proceedings could be dismissed, Sotto said in a radio interview, avoiding perpetual disqualification. This echoes former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez's 2011 resignation. Lawyer Lorna Kapunan countered that trial would proceed due to the disqualification penalty.
