Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano has asked all senators to be present at the Session Hall on Monday, May 18, for the start of proceedings related to the impeachment case of Vice President Sara Duterte.
“In view of the foregoing, the Senate shall convene as an Impeachment Court on Monday, 18 May 2026, at 3:00 PM, in accordance with the applicable rules and procedure,” Cayetano said in his letter to senators dated May 15.
Cayetano said the Senate received the Resolution of the House of Representatives setting forth the Articles of Impeachment, together with all annexes, on May 13.
He added that the Office of the Senate President communicated the Senate’s action to the House of Representatives through a letter addressed to the Speaker dated May 14.
Meanwhile, House Committee on Public Accounts chair and Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said the 11-member House prosecution panel will attend in full force the opening of the Senate impeachment court on Monday.
“The entire 11-person House prosecution panel will go to the Senate at 3 p.m. on May 18 to witness the opening of the Senate impeachment court,” Ridon said during the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.
He said the prosecutors’ attendance is not merely ceremonial, but reflects the House’s recognition that the impeachment case has entered the next constitutional stage.
“What is the reason why we are going there? First, respect for the Senate. Second, respect for the process provided for by the Constitution itself,” Ridon said.
The lawmaker said the House vote of 257-25-9 to impeach Duterte sent a “clear and unmistakable institutional message” to the Senate, noting that it far exceeded the 106 votes required to transmit the Articles of Impeachment.
“The vote to impeach the Vice President is overwhelming. Even within the strongest bailiwicks of the Vice President and the Dutertes in Mindanao, Cebu, and the Visayas, this did not turn out for the Vice President,” Ridon said.
“The role of the House is still limited that day, but it is important that the prosecution panel officially witnesses the events that will take place. We expect that the Senate impeachment court will convene that day, and the trial of our Vice President will finally move forward,” he added.
Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Co said even supporters of Duterte want the impeachment trial to proceed so the Vice President can answer the allegations against her and clear her name.
Speaking at the same forum, Co cited an April 2026 OCTA Research survey showing that 69 percent of Filipinos support proceeding with Duterte’s impeachment trial, including many of her supporters.
“The numbers are clear. A recent survey said 69 percent want the trial to begin. Even VP Sara’s own supporters want it to begin so her name can be cleared,” Co said.
The House of Representatives earlier impeached Duterte over allegations involving the misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
Duterte has denied wrongdoing and dismissed the charges as baseless.
Co said many Filipinos were frustrated that Duterte failed to directly address the accusations despite repeated opportunities during House Committee on Justice hearings.
“It is unfortunate that despite all the opportunities provided to the Vice President, she did not use them to provide the answers that the public has long been waiting for,” Co said.
She also warned that recent leadership changes in the Senate could affect the impeachment proceedings, saying some Duterte allies may try to weaken or stop the trial.
“There is a proposition not to conduct the trial at all and not to start it because, according to VP Sara’s position, the case is baseless,” Co said.
Still, Co maintained that the impeachment case is backed by official government records and public documents that should be examined in a full Senate trial.
