Senate impeachment court mulls full-day hearings for Duterte trial

MANILA – The Senate impeachment court is considering an accelerated trial schedule for Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment case, potentially clearing the legislative calendar to allow uninterrupted proceedings. Presiding Officer Senator Francis Escudero presented the proposal to the court, which would involve cancelling regular plenary sessions from October onward until the Senate's second regular session reconvenes on November 9.

The proposed schedule would enable full-day hearings dedicated solely to the impeachment trial, streamlining the proceedings and allowing senators to focus resources on the case without juggling competing legislative priorities. The move reflects the Senate's effort to expedite the trial while maintaining the chamber's legislative functions.

Escudero noted that the proposal remains "subject to finality," indicating the court has not yet formally adopted the schedule. The Senate would need to finalize procedural details and voting rules before implementing the arrangement.

The proposed November pivot toward budgetary matters underscores the chamber's intent to balance the high-profile impeachment proceedings with critical fiscal deliberations required during the second regular session. Senate leadership has not disclosed a specific timeline for when the impeachment trial might conclude under the accelerated schedule.