MANILA: Senate President Francis Escudero has formally invited the House of Representatives panel of prosecutors to appear before them for Vice President Sara Duterte’s (pic) impeachment trial on June 2, ahead of the impeachment court’s official convening the following day.
Based on a copy of a letter from Escudero’s office, the Senate president informed Speaker Martin Romualdez that the Senate “shall be ready to receive the House of Representatives’ panel of prosecutors” at 4pm on the afternoon of June 2.
“As stated in our letter dated Feb 24, 2025, the Senate shall expect the prosecution to read the seven charges under the Articles of Impeachment in open session,” the letter dated May 19 read.
“Thereafter, the Senate shall be convened as an impeachment court at 9 o’clock in the morning of June 3, 2025 for the purpose of issuing the summons and such other relevant orders,” it further stated.
Both dates for the receiving of the House prosecutors and the convening of the impeachment court follow the previous timeline Escudero released back in February.
The trial will be conducted by the Senate following Duterte’s impeachment in the House of Representatives on Feb 5.
Duterte was accused of culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes, including her alleged misuse of up to P612.5 million in confidential funds of her office and the Department of Education (DepEd) from 2022 to 2023.
Meanwhile, the vice president herself lodged a petition blocking the impeachment move before the Supreme Court on Feb 18. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
