Sotto calls impeachment caucus as Senate prepares for VP Sara impeachment trial
By Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel again Chloe Mari A. Hufana, A reporter
PREPARATIONS IN THE SENATE for the possible impeachment of Vice-President (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio gathered on Thursday, as Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III called for a caucus to discuss the timelines and steps of the process, as his legal team retreated from the allegations raised in the House of Representatives.
“Everything will depend on whether the indictment documents are forwarded to us or not,” said Mr. Sotto told reporters, indicating the chamber’s readiness to act once the case reaches the Senate. “It is important that we prepare ourselves because our people are watching us a lot.”
The planned caucus will also include important measures under the Legislative Development Advisory Council, but the upcoming trial is expected to be the driving force behind the talks as political tensions heat up.
The Senate may convene as an impeachment court as soon as the day after receiving the impeachment letters, said Mr. Sotto, indicating the immediate commencement of the trial once the case has been referred by the House.
“If they agree to be impeached on May 11 or 12 and send the articles on May 13, then we will discuss it and meet as an impeachment court,” he said in mixed English and Filipino.
The Senate’s move hinges on a constitutional directive that trials must proceed “promptly,” a term that has drawn scrutiny for its timing implications.
Under the Philippine Constitution of 1987, the Senate is authorized to sit as an impeachment court and at least one-third of the congressmen confirm the complaint, and the trial is authorized to proceed without delay.
The Supreme Court has made it clear that “immediately” does not provide a fixed timetable.
“It does not specify the time frame for the Senate to start the trial,” the statement said in a statement. “It simply provides that the case will ‘proceed promptly,’ leaving time for the discretion of the Senate.”
The House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday unanimously found it to be the cause of two impeachment petitions against Ms. Duterte.
The senators have begun internal preparations for a possible impeachment trial, including discussions on appointing an impeachment spokesman and planning arrangements such as clothing, accommodation, food and security.
“The chairman of the Finance Committee will ensure that everything goes according to plan,” said Mr.
Among those present at the caucus were Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo M. Lacson and Senators Ana Theresia N. Baraquel-Hontiveros, Joseph Victor G. Ejercito, Lorna Regina B. Legarda and Pilar Juliana S. Cayetano. The younger group was represented by Robinhood C. Padilla.
Mr. Sotto said the Senate has not yet finalized the timetable for the impeachment hearings and may convene another caucus once the House passes the impeachment documents.
The House Judiciary Committee is expected to present its findings at a hearing, possibly next week, when lawmakers will vote to send the impeachment documents to the Senate for a hearing.
Congress will resume session on May 4 after a one-and-a-half-month break.
Mrs. Duterte faces a number of allegations, including misappropriation of public funds, unexplained wealth and betrayal of the public. The complaints also mention the alleged plot to kill President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., First Lady Marie Louise A. Marcos and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.
If found guilty by the Senate, the Vice-President will be removed from office and barred from seeking any position in government, a development that could change the political landscape ahead of the 2028 presidential election, which he said he plans to run for.
‘FISHING SYSTEM’
His legal team, however, has mounted a major challenge to the House’s progress. In a statement, lawyer Paul Lawrence S. Lim said the evidence presented during the trial on April 29 could not establish the elements required for criminal charges such as incitement to sedition and serious intimidation.
He argued that the case was built on a selective presentation of information and lacked sufficient context to meet the probable cause standard.
“If anything was proven by him [Wednesday’s] in the proceedings, it is to ensure that it is a fishing trip and it has always been a trip aimed at providing a reasonable sense of impeachment appeals,” said Mr. Lim in a statement.
He added that any alleged crimes would be dealt with in “proper courts,” where evidence would be tested under due process rather than political considerations.
The purpose of the trial comes amid growing tensions among the country’s top leadership, following Ms. Duterte’s resignation as Education Secretary in 2024 and the administration’s decision to allow her father, former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, to face trial at the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity.
Meanwhile, Malacañang has been worried about the role of the military after National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin A. Matibag said during a House hearing that a member of the military was armed with a plot to rebel against the President.
Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said the President has full confidence in the Philippine Armed Forces, urging the public to allow the authorities to complete their investigation.
