By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Senate impeachment court will hold only one shortened trial session next week as it adjusts its schedule to accommodate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) and the opening of the Second Regular Session of the 20th Congress.
Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero announced Tuesday that the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte will convene only on Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., instead of its regular schedule.
The adjustment comes as Congress prepares for President Marcos’ SONA on July 27, where he is expected to present his administration’s accomplishments over the past year and outline legislative priorities.
The Senate minority bloc is likewise scheduled to hold its traditional Kontra-SONA on July 28, where opposition lawmakers are expected to respond to the President’s policy directions and assess the administration’s performance.
Escudero also announced a revised timetable for the impeachment proceedings beginning in August. Trial sessions will be held every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., allowing the Senate to resume its regular plenary sessions at 4 p.m. on the same days.
The shortened schedule is intended to balance the Senate’s constitutional duty to hear the impeachment case while carrying out its legislative responsibilities during the regular session of Congress.
The impeachment trial resumed this week with the prosecution presenting its final witness for Article IV, which concerns allegations that Duterte issued grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. Following the completion of Article IV, the prosecution is expected to proceed with Article I, which alleges the misuse of confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.
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