THE Senate is preparing to reconvene as an impeachment court for Vice President Sara Duterte’s trial set to begin on August 4, according to Senator Joel Villanueva.
Villanueva said Senate President Francis Escudero has started consulting with senators on the projected timeline.
Villanueva added however that the schedule is tentative, as the Senate would have to reorganize first once the 20th Congress opens on July 28.
He explained that committee chairmanships and internal leadership roles must be finalized before legislative proceedings can begin.
“Then, the week after, we can convene the impeachment court and have the defense and prosecution present their cases,” Villanueva said.
Meanwhile, the Senate told the Supreme Court it cannot provide specific documents as required by the high court.
In a manifestation ad cautelam filed yesterday, the Senate’s legal counsel said it lacks sufficient knowledge or access to information requested under the Court’s July 8 resolution.
“This filing reflects the Senate’s commitment to cooperation and respect for judicial processes, while also observing the proper institutional roles set by our Constitution,” said lawyer Regie Tongol, Senate Impeachment Court spokesperson.
The filing emphasized that many of the items involve proceedings and decisions that fall under the House of Representatives.
According to the Senate, those same materials were already requested from the House through an order dated June 11, issued while the Senate was sitting as an Impeachment Court.
The filing clarifies that the Senate is not withholding information, but instead does not officially possess what the Court is asking for.
Meanwhile, the Vice President office said she was ready to face the impeachment trial and will await the Supreme Court’s next action.
