Philippines Senate head says cannot hear impeachment complaint against vice-president until June

(FILES) Protesters hold placards during a rally in front of the Congress building in Manila on December 4, 2024, to coincide with the filing of an impeachment complaint against Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte. Philippine lawmakers on February 5 voted to send articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the Senate, a day before the current congressional session was set to end. (Photo by TED ALJIBE/ AFP)

MANILA (Reuters/AP): The Philippine Senate can only act on the impeachment complaint against Vice-President Sara Duterte on June 2 when Congress resumes after the midterm elections, Senate President Francis Escudero told a briefing on Thursday.

Escudero said the senators who will act as jurors need to swear an oath while Congress is in session before they can convene as an impeachment court.