Tolentino files 19-day calendar to finish Sara Duterte impeachment trial
Senator Francis ‘TOL’ Tolentino
MANILA, Philippines — Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino has formally filed a resolution adopting his proposed calendar for an expedited impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte.
In his Senate Resolution No. 1367 filed on Monday, Tolentino said in order to uphold due process and ensure the timely resolution of the impeachment case, the impeachment trial shall proceed in accordance with the proposed calendar below:
- June 11 – Constitution of the impeachment court
- June 11 to 21 – Submission of Answer by Vice President Sara Duterte (10 days)
- June 22 – Reply of prosecutors
- June 23 – Morning: Submission of Trial Briefs / Afternoon: Opening Statements
- June 24 to 25 – Presentation of evidence: Prosecution
- June 25 to 26 – Presentation of evidence: Defense
- June 27 – Morning: Rebuttal by prosecution / Afternoon: Rebuttal by defense
- June 28 – Oral arguments (1 hour each for Defense and Prosecution)
- June 29 – Closed-door meeting of senator-judges
- June 30 – Rendition of verdict
READ: LIVE UPDATES: Escudero takes oath for Sara Duterte impeachment trial
“The adoption of the said calendar enables the Senate to resolve the trial within the term of the 19th Congress, thereby avoiding the unresolved and constitutionally precarious implications of allowing such proceedings to extend to the next Congress,” Tolentino’s resolution states.
But prior to Tolentino’s filing of this measure, Senate President Chiz Escudero already made clear that only the impeachment court could decide whether or not it may end the trial within the 19th Congress or let it cross the 20th.
“Bagay ’yan na dapat pagpasyahan ng impeachment court at hindi ng Senado. Mapag uusapan lamang yan kapag na-convene na ang impeachment court dahil desisyon ng impeachment court ‘yan,” said Escudero.
(It’s a matter for the impeachment court to decide and not the Senate. We will only be able to talk about this once the impeachment court convenes, because it should be decided upon by the impeachment court.)
READ: Escudero: If Sara Duterte is impeached, President will nominate VP
But despite this pronouncement, Escudero questioned why there is a need to expedite or cut short the impeachment proceedings against Duterte.
“Hindi ba dapat protektahan natin ang karapatan ng magkabilang panig? Ang nasasakdal at ang prosekusyon na mabigyan sila ng sapat na panahon na mabigyan sila ng sapat na panahon upang ipresenta ang kaso nila upang sa gayon ay may basehan ang pagpapasya ng mga senator-judges pagdating ng panahon,” he said.
(But aren’t we supposed to protect the rights of each side? The defendant and the prosecution—both of them to be given enough time to present their respective cases in order for the senator-judges’ decision to have a basis when the time comes.) /cb
