By Tracy Cabrera
Senate Ready to Act as Impeachment Court as May 13 Looms for VP Sara Duterte Case
By Tracy Cabrera
SENATE, Pasay City — The Senate is prepared to immediately sit as an impeachment court as early as May 13, should the House of Representatives move forward with the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio following a plenary vote expected on May 11.
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said preparations are already in place amid reports that the House Committee on Justice has found probable cause on two impeachment complaints filed against the Vice President.
The complaints include allegations of alleged misuse of public funds and an alleged death threat directed at President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. during an online press briefing in November 2024.
Sotto noted that the Senate is ready to proceed with trial arrangements even as the House committee is expected to finalize its report, including the resolution and articles of impeachment, during a meeting scheduled on May 4.
He added that senators have already held preliminary discussions in a caucus last Thursday regarding possible next steps once the articles are transmitted to the Senate.
Attending the meeting were Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Senators Pia Cayetano, JV Ejercito, Risa Hontiveros, Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, and Robin Padilla.
“If they approve the articles of impeachment on May 11, transmission may follow on May 12, and by May 13 the Senate can already convene as an impeachment court,” Sotto said.
On whether Vice President Duterte would attend the proceedings, Lacson said it would ultimately be her decision, although he noted that the impeachment court has the authority to require her presence.
ia/xf
