Senate could vote on Duterte impeachment by year-end, Gatchalian says

MANILA — The Senate's impeachment court could reach a verdict on Vice President Sara Duterte before year-end under an expedited schedule, Senate President Sherwin "Win" Gatchalian said Wednesday.

Gatchalian told reporters that a revised timetable for the trial could enable faster proceedings after prosecutors reduced their witness roster. The prosecution's decision to remove 15 witnesses from their original list is expected to significantly shorten the duration of hearings.

"Hopefully, we can finish before December," Gatchalian said, noting that the streamlined approach would allow the impeachment court to move through testimony and proceed to deliberations more quickly.

The accelerated timeline marks a shift from expectations that the high-profile trial could stretch into 2025. The Vice President faces impeachment charges related to allegations concerning her official conduct and statements made during public events.

The Senate has been preparing for what could become one of the chamber's most significant impeachment proceedings in recent years, with the outcome potentially shaping Philippine politics heading into the final months of the year.