Senate may convene as court by Wednesday

MANILA, Philippines — If the House of Representatives garners the required 106 votes today and transmits the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the Senate by tomorrow, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said Senate President Vicente Sotto III could immediately convene the impeachment court by Wednesday.

While acknowledging a recent Supreme Court ruling giving the Senate the discretion to define the timeline of “forthwith,” Gatchalian noted Sotto’s intent for an immediate convening of the impeachment court.

“He (Sotto) wants it immediately. If he wants to immediately convene... it’s at the discretion of the body if they want it immediately or there is reasonable grounds (to delay),” Gatchalian told reporters.

He said that he has personally started preparing for the trial, revealing that he met with his external counsels last Friday and read the entire 200-plus-page committee report detailing the four Articles of Impeachment against Duterte.

Despite the constitutional mandate, Gatchalian anticipates attempts to derail the process through pre-trial motions.

He recalled a similar incident during the 19th Congress when Sen. Ronald dela Rosa moved to dismiss an impeachment complaint even before the court convened.

Meanwhile, Sen. Erwin Tulfo pointed out that the Senate has yet to resolve critical legal grey areas in its rules, particularly regarding what happens if Duterte decides to resign mid-trial.

Tulfo explained that while an official is automatically barred from running for public office if impeached and convicted, it remains unclear if a mid-trial resignation still carries the penalty of perpetual disqualification.

“That’s what will be discussed regarding rules. That’s what’s unclear at this point,” he added.

If the trial pushes through, Tulfo bared that the Senate plans to hold impeachment hearings on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3  to 11 p.m., leaving Tuesdays and Thursdays open for regular sessions and committee hearings.

‘Another Senate coup would be embarrassing’

Tulfo also warned against attempts to mount a coup to unseat Sotto just to block the impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte, describing it as “embarrassing.”

Speculations have recently surfaced that members of the minority bloc are plotting to overhaul the chamber’s leadership to stop Sotto from convening the Senate as an impeachment court.

Tulfo shot down the rumors, stating that such a move would be too obvious and highly questionable.

“How will they explain to the public that the coup was intended to block the impeachment?” he told radio dzBB.

Asked if such a move would bring shame to the Senate, Tulfo agreed: “Exactly. That’s the big question. I don’t know where they will search for the guts to do that.”

Tulfo argued that allowing the trial to proceed is the most logical step so the Vice President can have her day in court.

Gatchalian also dismissed the coup rumors, noting he has neither heard nor been approached regarding any attempts to oust Sotto.

“Personally I think the SP (Senate President) is on stable ground because he is showing the right leadership under these circumstances,” he said.

Gatchalian emphasized that holding the trial is not a matter of political choice or leadership preference, but a strict constitutional duty.