VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial to commence after SONA; all 215 signatures verified as true
Cena de Guzman-Trinidad February 10, 2025 at 09:32 PM
MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Francis Escudero announced that the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte will begin the day after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), scheduled for July 21, 2025.
When asked about the timing of the “actual impeachment trial,” Escudero stated, “Most likely when the new Congress already enters into its function after SONA. SONA, I think it is on July 21. So the trial will commence after that day.”
Escudero also mentioned that he has no plans to request a special session, emphasizing that “it is not one of the reasons” to call for such a session.
“Dagdag pa rito, sino pa ang may gusto na mag-special session kami at mag-trial kami bago mag-election? Sino ba ang humihiling nun? Yung pro. Sabi ko na sinumang pro or anti VP Sara hindi namin papakinggan,” the Senate President said.
“Bakit ko iibahin ang pagtrato dito sa impeachment complaint na ito? Hindi ito espesyal. Hindi ito kakaiba,” Escudero added, noting that “ang tingin dapat namin dito ordinaryong impeachment complaint lamang laban sa isang impeachable officer.”
Escudero confirmed that all 215 signatures of lawmakers in the fourth impeachment complaint appeared to be authentic. He stated that they have verified the legitimacy of each signature, saying, “Visually, na-verify na ang lahat ng 215 signatures na wet signature nga. Tiningnan yan ng hindi bababa sa apat na tao, na hindi bababa sa dalawang beses kada tao.”
He also noted that a copy of the impeachment complaint has been distributed to each senator and has been uploaded to the Senate’s website, making it accessible to the public.
📷 Senate of the Philippines