By Brian Campued and Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, commences Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Monday, July 6, with the first day focusing on decisions on motions and opening statements from both the prosecution and defense.
Here are the key moments on the start of the proceedings:
- With 12 senator-judges voting in favor and eight against, Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero was elected by the Senate Impeachment Court as the presiding officer for the trial.
- In his statement, Escudero underscored the need for the trial to proceed with caution and vowed to preside with impartiality and neutrality, as well as voiding the appearance of impropriety.
- “Let us heed the words of the Supreme Court that said, ‘Impeachment is not a chance to settle political scores; it is not a stage for political theater or personal attacks because when the focus shifts to the person rather than the alleged wrongdoing, the process loses its integrity,’” Escudero said.
- The 11-member House Prosecution Panel, led by Lead Prosecutor Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro, as well as 14 out of the 15 private counsels, introduced themselves before the senator-judges.
- Members of Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team, led by Lead Defense Counsel Atty. Sheila Sison also registered their appearance before the impeachment court.
- The Senate Impeachment Court denied the Prosecution’s motion to read the Articles of Impeachment and hold an arraignment of Vice President Duterte.
- Luistro in her opening statement: “Kung ang ordinaryong Pilipino pinapanagot, bakit hindi ang pinakamakapangyarihan na opisyal ng pamahalaan? Ito ang dahilan kung bakit mahalaga ang paglilitis na ito.”
- Sison in her opening statement: “If we are to uphold the rule of law, serve justice, and invoke the accountability mechanism, then this court and we as a people must guarantee that all efforts to hold our leaders accountable must be done right. This we must not forget.”
- The Senate Impeachment Court approved five days for the witness notice list as requested by the Defense Team.
- Escudero ordered the return of the sealed green box containing Vice President Duterte and her husband Atty. Manases Carpio’s tax records to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
- Impeachment court issued subpoena duces tecum ad testificandum for several banks to present copies of all information and data related to any financial accounts linked to VP Sara Duterte and/or Manases Carpio between Jan. 1, 2007–Dec. 31, 2025 to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).
- Impeachment court issues subpoena ad testificandum to two National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents.
The Senate Impeachment Court adjourned past 5:00 p.m. and will resume the trial on Tuesday, July 7, 2:00 p.m.
-av
