SENATE President Francis "Chiz" Escudero took his oath Monday, June 9, 2025, as the impeachment court's presiding officer for Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial.
During the plenary session, Senator Joel Villanueva moved for the oath-taking of senator-judges on June 10 at 4 p.m. and the impeachment court's convening on June 11. "After the oath-taking of the senator-judges, the court will be constituted, but not convened yet," Villanueva clarified.
Villanueva also moved to refer the complaint to the Committee on Rules. This followed a manifestation from Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, who urged the chamber to immediately begin trial proceedings as mandated by the Constitution.
The minority bloc, including Senators Koko Pimentel and Risa Hontiveros, did not formally start Duterte's impeachment trial.
Pimentel proposed several motions, seconded by Hontiveros:
1. Suspend the Senate's legislative business.
2. Convene the Senate into an impeachment court on Monday instead of Wednesday, June 11.
3. Senate President Chiz Escudero take his oath as presiding officer.
4. Escudero administer the oath to senators present.
5. The impeachment court call the impeachment case against Vice President Duterte and create a trial calendar.
6. The impeachment court ask prosecutors to read impeachment articles on Tuesday, June 10.
7. A writ of summons be subsequently issued to Duterte.
Duterte's impeachment involves six major allegations. These include alleged violations of the 1987 Constitution, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and other laws.
Allegations against Duterte include her alleged involvement in a conspiracy to assassinate President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., his wife, and Romualdez. Also cited are the alleged malversation of P612.5 million in confidential funds from the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education (DepEd) from 2022 to 2024, and bribery and corruption within DepEd.
The complaints also mention Duterte's unexplained wealth, failure to disclose assets, involvement in extrajudicial killings during her tenure as Davao City Mayor, and engagement in destabilization, insurrection, and public disorder. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)