MANILA — The Senate on Thursday, June 18, conducted the pre-trial conference for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, bringing together both the defense and prosecution panels ahead of formal court proceedings.
Members of Duterte’s legal team and House prosecutors attended the session, although Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-Ao was absent from the prosecution side.
Defense lawyer Michael Poa described the pre-trial as a routine legal step focused on clarifying issues and agreeing on stipulations of fact.
The conference marks an early stage in the impeachment process before the Senate impeachment court is expected to officially begin hearings on July 6.
Duterte faces impeachment complaints involving alleged culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, bribery, and other serious offenses. She was impeached by the House of Representatives in May.
The Senate had previously convened as an impeachment court on May 18, while Duterte’s camp filed its formal response to the charges on June 1, seeking dismissal of the case.
The start of the pre-trial follows a recent change in Senate leadership, with Senator Sherwin Gatchalian assuming the presidency after Senator Alan Peter Cayetano conceded following a shift in support within the chamber.
Senator Panfilo Lacson earlier noted that the new majority bloc had initially considered Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero as presiding officer of the impeachment court.
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