PH Senate sends summons to VP Sara Duterte

The Philippine Senate, after formally convening as an impeachment court on Monday (May 18, 2026) has ordered the issuance of a writ of summons to Vice President Sara Duterte, officially commencing the constitutional process to hear the Articles of Impeachment filed against her.

According to the Philippine News Agency (PNA), Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, presiding over the impeachment court, said Senate Resolution No. 39 (the Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trial) will continue to apply.

Additionally, the Rules of the Senate and the revised Rules of Court will be used for supplementary application as necessary.

“The court having been organized, and the Articles of Impeachment having been presented, let a writ of summons be issued to the Vice President, Sara Zimmerman Duterte,” Cayetano said during the trial.

Cayetano directed the Vice President to file her answer within a non-extendable period of 10 days from the receipt of the summons.

Pursuant to Article VII of the impeachment trial rules, Cayetano also directed Duterte to appear before the Senate session hall upon notice.

The Senate Sergeant-at-Arms has been ordered to serve the written summons on the Vice President, along with a copy of the Articles of Impeachment.

The PNA report said the prosecution may file its reply within a non-extendable period of five days from the receipt of Duterte’s answer.

Cayetano also noted that parties may file pleadings and annexes either in person or via email. All other pleadings, motions, and similar documents intended for the impeachment court’s consideration may also be filed electronically.

The Senate President has indicated that specific instructions regarding the format and manner of electronic filing will be circulated soon for the guidance of all parties.

ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT

According to the PNA report, during the start of the impeachment trial, Acting Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva formally acknowledged before the plenary that the House of Representatives has delivered to the Senate the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte. The documents were personally delivered by House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil.

Villanueva said the transmittal was conducted in accordance with Article XI, Section 3, Paragraph 3 of the Constitution and Rule IV, Section 11 of the House rules on impeachment proceedings.

“Earlier today, the Articles of Impeachment were referred to the Committee on Rules and consequently to the Senate sitting as an impeachment court,” Villanueva said.

-Paraluman News