Senator Cayetano: Senate majority prepared to proceed with impeachment trial of VP Sara Duterte

Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano has formally signed a letter notifying the House of Representatives that the Senate had received the Articles of Impeachment against Sara Duterte and would immediately move to fulfill its constitutional duty to convene as an impeachment court.

The letter, addressed to House Speaker Faustino Dy III, stated that the Senate received the impeachment complaint on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

“The Secretariat has been directed to include the Articles of Impeachment in the Calendar for Ordinary Business for referral to the Impeachment Court, which shall be convened on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., or at the soonest possible time thereafter, absent any question on the rules and procedures related to the transmitted Articles,” the letter read.

However, the planned May 18 convening remains subject to possible questions or motions concerning Senate rules and procedures.

Cayetano said the Senate majority bloc has no intention of delaying the impeachment proceedings and is prepared to proceed under the current impeachment rules.

“There’s no reason not to convene and take our oaths on Monday. From the Majority side, nag-caucus kami kagabi, I don't see any amendments to the rules [to happen]. Kung ano yung good na rules sa mga dating na-impeach, good din sa amin ngayon,” he said.

Once the impeachment court is convened, Cayetano said he would first take his oath as presiding officer before the 23 senators take their oaths as senator-judges. The Senate would then issue summons to the parties involved.

“I’m trying to unite the Senate, the senators, our people by just simply following the law, the Constitution, our rules, and what is right,” he said.

Cayetano emphasized that the proceedings would strictly adhere to the Constitution and the Senate Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trials, particularly regarding timelines for filings and responses before the formal trial begins.

“I will act in accordance with the rules. There always has to be legal grounds, and I will decide based on truth and evidence,” he said.

He added that while the Senate is already preparing a draft calendar for the impeachment proceedings, the actual duration of the trial would depend on procedural requirements, the number of witnesses, and the Articles of Impeachment involved.

“It depends kasi kung ilan ang witnesses and It depends sa articles. That's why I don't want to speculate,” Cayetano said.

The Senate President also said the chamber would continue balancing its legislative work alongside the impeachment process, while remaining committed to carrying out its constitutional responsibilities without unnecessary delay.

-Paraluman News