VP SARA'S IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OVER BY DECEMBER? Court presiding officer Escudero hints at plan
Senate impeachment court presiding officer Francis Escudero expects the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte to conclude by the end of the year. The proceedings are currently focused on the presentation of evidence, with a strict gag order imposed on all involved parties.
Why it matters
The impeachment of a high-ranking official has significant implications for national stability and the political landscape of the Philippines.
PASAY CITY – As prosecutors and defense heat up further proceedings on the 18th day, Senate impeachment court presiding officer Francis Escudero expressed optimism that the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte will wrap up by the end of the year.
Escudero made the statement in response to Senator-Judge Juan Miguel Zubiri asking for an updated timeline of the proceedings, as the Senate must begin shortly to scrutinize the P7.2 trillion proposed national budget for 2027. (See related stories.)
This as VP Duterte challenged prosecutors and members of Congress to prove the alleged impeachable offenses against her “with evidence—not insults, speculation, or political theatrics.”
At the same time, VP Duterte’s lawyer, Atty. Michael Poa, denied reports that the VP plans to resign. Poa stressed that Duterte currently has no intention of stepping down as vice president.
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