Chiz ramps up impeach preps

Says verdict may be out by October

Senate President Francis Escudero has ramped up preparations for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, adding that a decision could already be rendered by October this year.

Escudero said he issued a special order for the organization of Senate offices that will provide administrative support to the Upper Chamber sitting as an impeachment court.

“I think the trial won’t last for more than two or three months. By the time we go into recess in October 2025, the trial will be done and we will already be voting,” he said in a press conference in Sorsogon Tuesday.

Escudero said Special Order 2025-015 designates the Secretary of the Senate as the Clerk of Court that handles documentation and records and preparing summons as well as the court calendar, among others.

The Office of the Senate Legal Counsel and Deputy Secretary for Legislation, on the other hand, were designated as Deputy Clerks while Sergeant-At-Arms shall be responsible for serving summons, subpoenas and other legal processes as well as maintaining security arrangements during the proceedings.

Escudero said the trial proper will likely begin on July 29 or July 30 at the earliest after Congress resumes session for the President’s State of the Nation Address.

He said there will be a pre-trial meeting to agree on the number of witnesses and to mark the evidence to be presented.

“When the trial begins, it will already be a cross examination. The marking of the evidence, agreeing on the witnesses to be presented – all these will be during the pre-trial so we do not waste time during the trial proper,” the Senate President said.

Escudero has remained firm against calling a special session for the impeachment trial, but said the Senate will act if the President makes such a call.

The Palace, for its part, said it would be “awkward” for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to “voluntarily” call a special session to expedite the impeachment trial of Duterte.

As this developed, a non-commissioned survey by public opinion research firm WR Numero showed almost half of Filipino adults do not support the impeachment of Duterte.

The survey showed 47 percent of respondents said they oppose the impeachment while 33 percent said they agree with it.

However, House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong said while surveys reflect public sentiment, the ongoing impeachment case against Duterte is about accountability to the Filipino people.

“We acknowledge the survey results released by WR Numero regarding the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte. However, we must emphasize that multiple independent and reputable surveys show that a clear majority of Filipinos support impeachment, underscoring the public’s strong demand for accountability and good governance,” he said.

“Let’s be clear: Impeachment is a solemn constitutional process based on facts, evidence, and the rule of law. The House of Representatives is fulfilling its duty to the Filipino people to hold the guilty accountable, correct the mistake, and uphold the law.”

“A single survey cannot erase the growing clamor for justice and accountability. The people deserve the truth, not a numbers game designed to mislead them,” Adiong added. — Ram Superable & Maricel Cruz