Trial and errors: PhilConsa denounces Senate delays, lack of impartiality

Finally, the trial of the impeached Vice President, Sara Duterte, has begun.

- TONY LOPEZ

Finally, the trial of the impeached Vice President, Sara Duterte, has begun. Francis "Chiz" Escudero, president of the Senate of the 19th Congress, took his oath as presiding officer of the Senate impeachment court, on Monday, June 9, 2025, followed by 22 senators taking their oath as judges before Escudero, the following day, Tuesday, June 10. That Tuesday, the Senate convened itself as an impeachment court.

The senator-judges solemnly swore "that in all things pertaining to the trial of the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte now pending, I will do impartial justice according to the Constitution in the laws of the Philippines. So help me God."

Under the Constitution, as in the US Constitution, the Senate, as a constitutional office of accountability, sits as a High Court of Impeachment to consider evidence, hear witnesses and vote to acquit or convict an impeached official.

The court began work in earnest on Tuesday, June 10, when the senator-judges voted 18-5, with no abstentions, to remand or return the Articles of Impeachment to the House of Representatives, for two reasons: one, that the House clarify that it did not violate the only one impeachment rule against the same person in one year (the House said it did not); and two, that the House commits to pursue the case before the Senate of the 20th Congress which begins on July 1, 2025.

Evening of June 11, Senate impeachment court Presiding Judge Escudero sent a writ of summons to Vice President Sara for her to answer the impeachment allegations against her made by 215 congressmen, and to appear before the Senate as a court on a date and time set by Presiding Judge Escudero.

Duterte faces seven Articles of Impeachment or charges, all very serious allegations of crimes which, if proven, could result in her conviction, ouster as vice president and perpetual disqualification from public office.