Escudero: Senate preparing for VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate is preparing for Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial but the proceedings will not start until sessions resume, Senate President Francis Escudero said on Wednesday.

Escudero confirmed the matter at a press conference. He explained that the Senate is “slowly but surely building up” in connection with the case.

As part of the preparations, the Senate has begun checking materials used in previous impeachment proceedings, gauging if these can still be reused or must be replaced.

“That’s part of the Senate’s preparations. We have inspected if the tables and witness stands that were used have been eaten by termites. We located it and placed it in respective areas for us to see what needs to be done,” he said.

“Just like I said, because the impeachment complaint has already been filed, it is now certain that there will be an impeachment trial so the Senate must prepare. We are not wasting our time despite it being recess,” he added.

The Senate chief also said that apart from conducting a “mock-up,” they have begun looking for suppliers of robes that senators would use when the chamber convenes into a court.

“We are canvassing for robes. We are now fixing the system for visitors, as well as the ID of the other side because they will go there every day like employees. We are doing this so that they would no longer log in the books,” he explained.

“We are now fixing the processes and systems so that the procedure will be smooth. I also tasked our team to list down the budget for that matter,” he added.

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