Senate impeachment court approves 92 trial days

The Senate impeachment court has approved a 92-day trial for Vice President Sara Duterte commencing on July 6.

- By NEIL JAYSON SERVALLOS

The approved trial period — contained in the 14-page Pre-Trial Order signed by Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on June 29 — is much shorter than the previous estimate of seven to eight months.

Based on the order, a copy of which was obtained by The STAR, 62 trial dates have been set for House prosecutors and 30 for the Vice President’s defense team.

The trial convenes at 2 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays until July 28 — a day after President Marcos delivers his fifth State of the Nation Address - with a slightly revised schedule: 3 p.m. during Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

In total, the prosecution has 57 witnesses, while the defense has 45.

The witnesses will testify under a strict One-Day Examination Rule, meaning their testimonies must be completed on their scheduled date unless the court grants an extension for good cause.