Sara Duterte Trial Starts Monday: Senate Orders Robes On for Impeach Court

The Senate is set to formally convene as an impeachment court on Monday afternoon for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, marking the next major step in one of the country’s biggest political cases.

According to The Philippine Star, Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano told senators in a May 15 letter to be present at the Session Hall at 3 p.m. on May 18 and to wear their impeachment robes for the proceedings.

Cayetano said the Senate would proceed under its impeachment trial rules and the Constitution after receiving the House resolution and Articles of Impeachment on May 13. The House transmission happened during the tense Senate lockdown, when Secretary General Cheloy Garafil was reportedly trapped inside as gunfire erupted in the building.

The House prosecution panel has also begun dividing key assignments for the case. Bicol-Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said grounds involving threats, unexplained wealth, bribery, and alleged misuse of confidential funds have already been assigned to prosecutors, with details expected next week.

The Articles of Impeachment accuse Duterte of alleged culpable violation of the 1987 Constitution, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, bribery, and other high crimes. The prosecution panel includes lawmakers such as Gerville Luistro, Chel Diokno, Leila de Lima, Arlene Bag-ao, Joel Chua, and others.

Source: The Philippine Star