MANILA — Senate President Francis Escudero has formally invited the House of Representatives panel of prosecutors to appear before them for Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on June 2, ahead of the impeachment court’s official convening the following day.
Based on a copy of a letter from Escudero’s office, the Senate president informed Speaker Martin Romualdez that the Senate “shall be ready to receive the House of Representatives’ panel of prosecutors” at 4 p.m. on the afternoon of June 2.
“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,” the letter dated May 19 read.
“Thereafter, the Senate shall be convened as an impeachment court at 9 o’clock in the morning of June 3, 2025 for the purpose of issuing the summons and such other relevant orders,” it further stated.
Both dates for the receiving of the House prosecutors and the convening of the impeachment court follow the previous timeline Escudero released back in February, which is as follows:
* June 2 – Resumption of session and presentation of articles of impeachment
* June 3 – Convening of the impeachment court and oath-taking of incumbent senator-judges
* June 4 – Issuance of summons
* June 14 to 24 – Reception of pleadings
* June 24 to July 25 – Pre-trial
* July 28 – Inaugural session of the Senate of the 20th Congress
* July 29 – Oath-taking of newly elected senator-judges before sitting as an impeachment court
* July 30 – Start of trial
The trial will be conducted by the Senate following Duterte’s impeachment in the House of Representatives on February 5.
Duterte was accused of culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes, including her alleged misuse of up to P612.5 million in confidential funds of her office and the Department of Education (DepEd) from 2022 to 2023.
Meanwhile, the vice president herself lodged a petition blocking the impeachment move before the Supreme Court on February 18. (Zacarian Sarao @ Philippine Daily Inquirer)
