Politics · Philippines Bureau
Senate impeachment court accelerates Duterte trial with extended daily sessions
The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte will shift to full-day proceedings this week as the Senate impeachment court seeks to expedite the case before lawmakers break for budget deliberations. Extended sessions are scheduled through mid-October.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte will intensify with an accelerated schedule beginning Thursday, as the Senate impeachment court moves to complete hearings before the chamber turns its attention to fiscal year 2027 budget discussions.
The court will convene from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays through October 15, marking a departure from the previous part-time hearing schedule. The extended daily sessions reflect the court's determination to advance the high-profile case amid competing legislative priorities.
The shift to full-day proceedings represents a significant adjustment in the trial's pace, with senators and legal teams now required to commit substantially more time to the case each week. The compressed timeline aims to resolve key procedural and evidentiary matters before the budget season commandeers Senate floor time.
Vice President Duterte faces impeachment charges that have gripped national attention since the proceedings commenced earlier this year. The accelerated schedule signals the Senate's intent to maintain momentum in what has emerged as one of the most significant political developments in the Philippines.