The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, opens Monday the historic trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, making her the first vice president in Philippine history to face impeachment proceedings.
The impeachment court is scheduled to convene from Monday to Wednesday at 2 p.m. Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, who will preside over the proceedings, said the first day will be devoted to preliminary matters, including opening statements from the House prosecution panel and Duterte’s defense team.
The presentation of witnesses and evidence is expected to begin on Tuesday.
Gatchalian said he will serve as presiding officer in accordance with the Senate impeachment rules, despite questions raised over his qualifications because he is not a lawyer.
The impeachment court also discussed the custody of a Bureau of Internal Revenue records box containing the tax records of Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio. Gatchalian said evidence should remain in the custody of either the prosecution or the defense.
Duterte faces four impeachment complaints, with conviction on any of the articles resulting in her removal from office and disqualification from holding public office.
The complaints include allegations of misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and an alleged threat to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua, a member of the House prosecution panel, described the opening of the trial as “the first day toward the truth,” saying the proceedings will allow the public to see the constitutional process unfold.
House impeachment spokesperson Robert Ace Barbers said the prosecution is prepared to present its case once the trial moves to the evidentiary stage, while fellow spokesperson Renee Co urged the public, particularly the youth, to watch the proceedings rather than rely solely on social media clips.
The trial follows two previous impeachment proceedings heard by the Senate: the 2001 impeachment trial of former President Joseph Estrada, which ended before a verdict after the EDSA Dos uprising, and the 2012 conviction of former Chief Justice Renato Corona.
