Manila, Philippines — Senate president Francis “Chiz” Escudero signed an order establishing an administrative support team in preparation for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Under Special Order No. 2025-015, Escudero sets the formation of the support group, as well as their designation and roles.
“Bahagi ito ng tinatawag nating ‘taking proper order of the subject of impeachment‘ sa panig at parte ng Senate President na nakasaad, nakapaloob sa Section 1 ng rules on Impeachment ng Senate. Upang sa gayon, hindi pa man nagsisimula ang pre-trial o trial ay buo na at kumpleto na ang paghahanda ng Senado para rito,” Escudero said in a press briefing on Thursday.
The special order designates the secretary of the Senate as the Clerk of Court, whose tasks involve recording and reporting of the proceedings, maintaining and preserving court records, preparing and serving notices and summons, court calendar, administering oaths, and other non-judicial functions.
The Senate Legal Counsel is designated as the Deputy Clerk, whose roles include drafting and preparation of subpoenas, writs, summons, and other legal instruments, as well as legal memoranda; and marking and custody of exhibits presented during the trial.
Similarly, the Deputy Secretary for Legislation is also designated as the Deputy clerk that shall supervise the transcripts and journals of the trial, forms of oath and custody of oath book, drafting impeachment court resolutions, custody of proceedings’ documents, among others.
Meanwhile, the Senate Sergeant of Arms shall be responsible for the service of the summons and subpoenas, status reports, security arrangements, and peace and order during the proceedings.
On the other hand, Escudero also released a copy of the proposed calendar for the impeachment trial.
In line with the proposed calendar, the official start of the trial proper is set in August, 2 months after the Senate Session resumes in June.
On June 2, the session resumes, which is also the target date for the presentation of impeachment articles, and approval of the revised rules of procedure on impeachment trials.
June 3 is set for the convening of the impeachment court and oath-taking of the incumbent senator-judges, while the issuance of summons is on June 4.
“From June 14 to 24, palitan ng pleadings ‘yan sa magkabilang panig. At roughly, from June 4 to July 25 yung pre-trial. Dahil sang-ayon sa rules of Court, dapat i-set ang pre-trial not more than one month from the time the last pleading is filed by either party,” Escudero detailed.
Following this, July 28 is the schedule for the inaugural session of the 20th congress; July 29 for the oath taking of the newly elected senator Judges, while the start of the trial is set on July 30.