MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Senate has officially shifted into judicial mode, setting the stage for a historic constitutional trial amid intense political polarization and a volatile legislative environment. The upper chamber formally convened as an impeachment court to try Vice President Sara Duterte, ordering an immediate writ of summons for her to answer the formal charges sent by the lower house.
During the plenary session, 23 active senators donned traditional maroon robes and took a solemn collective oath to act as impartial senator-judges.
The formal transmittal of the Articles of Impeachment was executed by House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil and presented to the plenary by Acting Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, setting the legal timeline into motion:
- The Formal Summons: Newly installed Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, presiding over the newly formed court, officially ordered the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms to serve the written summons and a copy of the articles to the Office of the Vice President.
- The Defense Timeline: Vice President Duterte has been given a strict, non-extendable period of 10 days from the receipt of the summons to file her formal legal answer.
- The Prosecution Counter: Following the defense’s response, the House prosecution panel will have a non-extendable period of five days to submit its formal reply.
“The court having been organized, and the Articles of Impeachment having been presented, let a writ of summons be issued to the Vice President, Sara Zimmerman Duterte… Let her appear before the Senate session hall upon notice.” — Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano
Legal scholars and Senate leaders emphasized to the public that while the court has formally organized, the actual trial has not yet begun. The transition into active arguments will require several procedural steps:
[Senate Convenes Court] ──► [10 Days: VP Files Answer] ──► [5 Days: House Reply] ──► [Pre-Trial & Evidence Vetting] ──► [Formal Trial Begins]
Under the 1987 Constitution, the Senate is not bound to a rigid, day-to-day timeline to begin oral arguments. The Supreme Court has historically ruled that the upper chamber must begin the trial phase “within a reasonable time,” allowing senator-judges to iron out administrative frameworks, establish schedules, and conduct pre-trial conferences to vet physical evidence and witness lists.
The trial centers on two consolidated impeachment complaints passed overwhelmingly by the House of Representatives on May 11, 2026, with a lopsided 257–25–9 vote.
The Vice President faces heavy constitutional charges:
- Misuse of State Funds & Unexplained Wealth: Allegations tracking the anomalous disbursement and rapid liquidation of hundreds of millions in confidential and intelligence funds.
- Betrayal of Public Trust: Highlighted by a highly controversial public threat where Duterte stated she had contracted an assassin to eliminate the President if she herself were killed due to their bitter, ongoing political fallout.
Duterte’s defense panel, led by spokesperson and lawyer Michael Poa, stated that they welcome the Senate transition as the appropriate legal forum to clarify fundamental constitutional questions, asserting they will file a comprehensive response in due time.
The trial unfolds against a backdrop of deep institutional divisions and unprecedented security anxieties. Just last week, a sudden, aggressive leadership coup on May 11 ousted former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, replacing him with Alan Peter Cayetano.
The dramatic realignment successfully shifted key Duterte allies—including Senators Christopher “Bong” Go, Imee Marcos, and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa—into the powerful majority bloc, while former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator JV Ejercito retreated to join the minority.
Compounding the political tension, the chamber is still reeling from an actual exchange of gunfire that erupted inside the Senate building during last week’s chaotic leadership transition. Furthermore, the court must navigate complex optics, as several newly minted majority senators are actively defending themselves against a separate, multi-billion-peso flood-control corruption scandal that broke out last year.