Posibleng magsimula sa July 6 ang Senate impeachment trial ni Vice President Sara Duterte, habang kinumpirma ng Office of the Vice President (OVP) na natanggap na nito ang summons mula sa Senate impeachment court.
Ayon kay Sen. Erwin Tulfo sa panayam sa GMA Unang Balita nitong Huwebes, ipinaalam na sa mga senador ang trial schedule matapos magpatawag si Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano ng all-member caucus.
“There was already a schedule given yesterday [when] SP [Senate President Alan Peter] Cayetano called a caucus of all members. The impeachment trial will begin on July 6,” ani Tulfo.
Inilatag din ni Tulfo ang posibleng weekly schedule kapag nagsimula na ang trial. Tuwing Monday, regular session muna ang Senado mula 10 a.m. hanggang 1 p.m., bago ang impeachment proceedings sa hapon.
“Every Monday, we’ll have a session from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then from 2 o’clock to sawa [continuously] on Mondays, that’s the impeachment trial. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, the same thing–starting at 3 o’clock in the afternoon until evening. And then Thursdays, we will have hearings, committee hearings,” dagdag niya.
Nauna rito, kinumpirma ng OVP na natanggap nito ang summons ng impeachment court noong umaga ng May 20.
“The Office of the Vice President confirms receipt of the Summons issued by the Impeachment Court at approximately 10:40 AM today, 20 May 2026,” ayon sa pahayag ng OVP.
Noong May 18, sinabi naman ng defense team ni Duterte na kinikilala nito ang pag-convene ng Senado bilang impeachment court at maghahain ito ng kinakailangang tugon.
“We note that the Senate has convened as an Impeachment Court and that summons will be issued in due course,” saad ng defense team.
“We will comply and file the appropriate response in accordance with the Constitution and applicable rules,” dagdag nito.
Tumanggi muna ang legal team na magbigay ng karagdagang komento.
“At this stage, and out of respect for the process, we find it prudent to refrain from further comment,” sabi ng defense team.
May 10 calendar days ang kampo ni Duterte mula sa service of summons para maghain ng answer. Dahil papatak sa Saturday, May 30, ang ika-10 araw, ang deadline ay malilipat sa susunod na working day, Monday, June 1.
Kapag natanggap ng House prosecution panel ang answer, may limang calendar days ito para maghain ng reply kung pipiliin nitong gawin iyon. /Bistado