LOOK: Tentative schedule for Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial

MANILA, Philippines — With the start of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial expected on July 6, 2026, the Senate impeachment court is expected to follow a strict schedule as the upper chamber primes for what could become one of the most significant political proceedings in recent history.

READ: Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial may start on July 6 – Erwin Tulfo

The Senate already formally convened as an impeachment court on Monday, May 18.

Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano then declared that the Senate was ready to fulfill its constitutional duty and would not delay the impeachment trial of Duterte.

Should it be true that no delays would occur, the tentative schedule for Duterte’s impeachment trial are as follows, according to INQUIRER’s source:

• May 18 (Monday) – Impeachment Court convened
  • Senator-judges took oath
  • Adoption of Impeachment Rules
  • Directed the Issuance of summons
• May 19 (Tuesday) – Issuance of summons
• May 20 (Wednesday) – Service of summons to Vice President Duterte
• May 30 (Saturday) – Last day for VP Duterte to file her ANSWER
  • Rule: If the last day falls on a weekend, the time shall not run until the next working day 
• June 1 (Monday) – Actual deadline for VP Duterte to file her ANSWER
  • Start of 5-calendar day period for Public Prosecutors to file their REPLY 
• June 6 (Saturday) – Last day for Public Prosecutors to file REPLY
  • Rule: If the last day falls on a weekend, the time shall not run until the next working day 
• June 8 (Monday) – Actual deadline for Public Prosecutors to file REPLY
• June 9 (Tuesday) – Notice of Pre-trial
• June 15 (Monday) to June 26 (Friday) – Pre-trial conference
• June 30 (Tuesday) – Issuance of pre-trial order
• June 30 (Tuesday) to July 5 (Sunday) – Period to file comment on pre-trial order
• July 6 (Monday) – Start of trial (Pre-State of the Nation Address or Sona)
  • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 2 p.m. onwards
  • Thursday: No Trial
• July 27 (Monday) – Sona
• July 28 (Tuesday) onwards – Trial proper (Post-Sona)
  • (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)
  • Monday: No Trial
  • Tuesday: 3 p.m. onwards
  • Wednesday: 3 p.m. onwards
  • Thursday: 3 p.m. onwards /das