Senate eyes mid-June start for impeachment trial proper once Articles are transmitted
Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Monday the impeachment trial proper could begin by mid-June once the Articles of Impeachment are formally transmitted to the Senate.
“Kung matanggap namin, kinabukasan tatawag agad ako na ma-convene namin ‘yung impeachment court. Kinabukasan itself (Once we receive it, I will immediately call to convene the impeachment court the next day. That same day),” Sotto said in a radio interview.
He said the Articles would first be reported to the plenary and then referred to the Committee on Rules before the Senate is convened as an impeachment court.
Sotto clarified that once convened, the court would proceed with initial steps before moving to full trial proceedings.
He also addressed the interpretation of “forthwith,” saying it refers to immediate action and not prolonged delay, while stressing that timelines cited in legal interpretations apply to the conduct of the trial proper.
Under the proposed flow, the respondent will be given 10 working days to answer the complaint, followed by five days for the prosecution’s reply, before pre-trial proceedings begin.
“Ang gagawin ko dito, based on the experience, pre-trial muna before the trial proper (Based on experience, we will conduct pre-trial before the trial proper),” he said.
Sotto said pre-trial preparations would include marking of evidence, identification of witnesses, and stipulation of facts to avoid delays during the hearing proper.
He also dismissed reports of alleged lobbying efforts to stop the impeachment process, saying he has not received any such communications and will maintain neutrality.
“Out of service ang telepono ko… Kilala nila ako. Doon tayo sa neutral lagi (My phone is out of service… They know me. We remain neutral),” he said.
Sotto added that while a respondent’s attendance in impeachment proceedings is not mandatory under Senate rules, it is still encouraged as part of due process.
Photo from Sotto / Facebook
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