MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday said the senators are finding ways to expedite the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte as it may drag on until February 2027.
The Senate, sitting as Impeachment Court, will start the trial on July 7.
The senator said the Senate might be able to finish the trial in seven months as the chamber has to pass important legislative measures, such as the proposed 2027 national budget.
The Senate would soon conduct public hearings on some proposals amending the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act following recent school violence.
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is also set to resume investigation on the flood control fund scandal.
“Based on our estimates, the impeachment trial will run from 7 to 8 months. If we are going to start in July, we may be able to finish by February [2027]," Gatchalian said in a radio interview.
“That’s why we are studying how we can expedite the impeachment trial because the Senate is not only occupied with the impeachment. We also have to tackle proposed laws," he said.
“But we will insist on finishing all the preliminaries. Tomorrow (June 29) we will issue the pre-trial order,” Gatchalian said.
“We will give both camps three days to file their comments. And then after that we will prepare for the impeachment this coming July 6,” he said.
Gatchalian said the Senate will start tackling the 2027 General Appropriations Bill. "And we know the budget is one of the most difficult activity of the Senate."
“So we are really studying that and of course, we will consult the prosecution and defense on how we can shorten the process and if they can lower the number of witnesses," he said.
Gatchalian raised the need to consult with the prosecution and defense regarding the matter "because there were 10,000 pieces of evidences that were marked."
"So just imagine the time that would be spent if these 10,000 pieces would all be presented,” he said.
