The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, has directed Vice President Sara Duterte to appear at the start of her impeachment trial on Monday, July 6.
The notice, dated July 2 and signed by Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian in his capacity as presiding officer of the impeachment court, ordered Duterte to appear before the court either personally or through her legal counsel.
“Pursuant to Rule VII of the Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trials and in accordance with the Writ of Summons issued on 19 May 2026… you are hereby notified that trial will commence on the 6th day of July at 2 o’clock in the afternoon, and are further directed to appear on said date, in person or through counsel,” the notice read.
A copy of the notice was also furnished to the House prosecution panel.
Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives on May 11 over allegations of misuse of public funds, unexplained wealth, bribery involving Department of Education (DepEd) officials, and alleged death threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos, and other individuals.
Senate Secretary and Impeachment Court Clerk Renato Bantug said the Senate is prepared for the opening of the trial.
“We are now ready for Monday as we begin the impeachment trial proceedings,” Bantug said in Filipino.
He said the proceedings will begin with the formal appearance of both the prosecution and defense panels, followed by their opening statements, similar to the procedure followed during the 2012 impeachment trial of late Chief Justice Renato Corona.
Gatchalian is expected to preside over the proceedings unless a majority of senators vote to elect another presiding officer. As of Friday, however, the Senate had yet to make a final decision on the matter.
“I have not yet received any final instructions regarding what the decision will be. I also do not have any information on what the Impeachment Court’s decision will be concerning the Presiding Officer,” Bantug said.
