Chiz Escudero: Senate convenes as impeachment court June 3

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero has informed House Speaker Martin Romualdez that the senators were ready to receive the House of Representatives panel of prosecutors for the reading of impeachment charges against Vice President Sara Duterte when Congress resumes its session on 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,” Escudero said.

READ: House receives Senate notice on start of VP Duterte’s impeachment trial

He said the procedure was in accordance with Rule 1 of the rules on impeachment trials.

Escudero said that on the following day, June 3, the Senate will convene as an impeachment court for the purpose of issuing the summons and other relevant orders related to Duterte’s impeachment.

Duterte is accused of bribery, graft, corruption and culpable violation of the Constitution in connection with the alleged misuse of up to P612 million confidential funds of her office and the Department of Education, which she led from 2022 to 2024.

Other charges

The impeachment trial was scheduled to start on July 30 under the new Congress, based on the initial timetable provided by Escudero.

The Vice President is also facing charges of inciting sedition and grave threats in the Department of Justice (DOJ) after she publicly disclosed in November last year that she had arranged the assassination of President Marcos, first lady Liza Araneta Marcos and Speaker Romualdez if an alleged plot to kill her succeeds.

Last week, Duterte submitted her counteraffidavit to the DOJ, denying the accusation.

Romualdez said his office would notify the 11-member House prosecution team about Escudero’s notice to start the impeachment proceedings against the Vice President.

In a letter dated May 22, the House leader confirmed that he had received Escudero’s May 19 letter.

The letter exchange between the two Congress leaders marks the transition of the impeachment process from the House to the Senate, which would hence assume jurisdiction as an impeachment court.

(2025/05/23-05:34)