The VP Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial is moving forward, as the Senate minority bloc led by Senator Risa Hontiveros announced today their formal plan to start the opening rites of the trial. The announcement was made during a press conference on Monday.
Senator Hontiveros, along with Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, will request the Senate this afternoon to begin the process. They plan to allow Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero to take an official oath as the presiding officer of the impeachment court. In addition, they will seek to have all Senators take the required oath as judges of the impeachment court.
According to Hontiveros, this is only the opening rites — not yet the trial proper. “It will only take about an hour for the oaths and formalities,” she stated, emphasizing that this is an important step that cannot be ignored.
The minority bloc also plans to move for the formal presentation of the Articles of Impeachment before the full Senate.
Background of VP Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial
The House of Representatives voted on February 5 to impeach VP Sara Duterte, with more than 200 lawmakers supporting the impeachment complaint. The charges include:
- Betrayal of public trust
- Culpable violation of the Constitution
- Graft and corruption
- Other high crimes
VP Sara Duterte has strongly denied these allegations.
The Articles of Impeachment were sent to the Senate on the same day. However, the upper chamber adjourned without taking any action on the case.
Now, the Senate minority is pushing to ensure the VP Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial proceeds in accordance with the 1987 Constitution.
Upcoming Schedule in the Senate
The reading of the impeachment charges against VP Sara Duterte is scheduled for June 11. The Senate is also balancing this with the need to pass key legislation before the 19th Congress adjourns sine die on June 14.
Why the Minority Bloc is Insisting
Senator Hontiveros stressed that the Senate has a duty to respect the Constitution and cannot ignore public calls to move forward with the trial. Support for this process has come from:
- Law schools
- Universities
- Religious groups
- Constitutional framers
The VP Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial is being closely watched by many sectors of society.
Conclusion
As the Senate prepares for today’s session, the spotlight is on whether the VP Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial will officially begin its opening rites. The move by the Senate minority marks an important moment in this high-profile case.
References:
GMANetwork.com, June 2025
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