Senators don robes as Sara Duterte impeachment trial opens

MANILA, Philippines (2nd update, 4:12 p.m.) — The Senate formally convened as an impeachment court on Monday, May 18, marking the official start of the trial of cases against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Shortly after the plenary session opened, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian moved for the Senate to adopt the Articles of Impeachment and suspend session for the convening.

The unprecedented second impeachment of Duterte returned the Senate to one of its gravest constitutional roles. Last year, while the court was formally convened, the trial proper did not proceed after the Senate, under then-Senate President Chiz Escudero, remanded the articles to the House over constitutional questions.

Duterte is facing charges of plunder and graft in the misuse of public funds and having unexplained wealth, as well as conspiracy to commit murder over her threat to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. killed.

Upon resumption of session, senators arrived in the traditional red robes of senator-judges. Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano declared a quorum of 23 of 24 senators present, with Sen. Bato dela Rosa absent.

Dela Rosa, a Duterte ally, last week left the Senate premises after a gunfire incident early Thursday, May 14. He faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for alleged crimes against humanity.

Cayetano took his oath as presiding officer for the trial, with Sen. Camille Villar administering the oath.

The impeachment court ordered the issuance of a writ of summons to be served by the Senate sergeant-at-arms. Duterte was given 10 calendar days to respond, while the prosecution was given five calendar days thereafter.

The 23 present senators of the 20th Congress will sit as senator-judges. Eleven House members will serve as prosecutors.  — with reports from Renalyn Ramirez