Pasay City, Philippines — Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, during Monday’ plenary session, formally took his oath as the presiding officer of the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte.
This comes after the Senate minority bloc formally moved to request the opening of the impeachment process, leading to Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino formally moving Escudero’s oath taking.
Aside from this, Tolentino also moved that the Senator-judges take their oaths on Tuesday, 4 o’clock in the afternoon.
On the same day, Tolentino filed a resolution proposing to adopt a calendar of activities to finish the trial within 19 days.
Under Plenary Session resolution No.1367, Tolentino proposed dates and schedules in aim of finishing the trial by June 30, before the 19th congress closes.
The proposed calendar are as follows:
• June 11 — constitution of the Impeachment Court
• June 11-21 — VP Sara’s submission of Answer
• June 22 — Reply of prosecutors
• June 23 — Submission of Trial Briefs (morning); Opening statements (afternoon)
• June 24-25 — Prosecution’s presentation of Evidence
• June 25-26 — Defense’s presentation of Evidence
• June 27 — Rebuttal by Prosecution (morning) ; Rebuttal by Defense (afternoon)
• June 28 — Oral arguments (1 hour defense for Prosecution and Defense)
• June 29 — Closed-door meeting of Senator-judges
• June 30 — Rendition of Verdict
Tolentino noted that by adopting the proposed calendar, the Senate will be able to ensure that the trial will be finished within the 19th congress, hence, avoiding constitutional implications if the trial extends until the next congress.
Despite this, Escudero immediately rejected Tolentino’s proposed calendar, arguing that the process of the trial should not be shortened.
Escudero also maintained his position that the time table for the trial will be decided after the Senate convenes as an impeachment court.