MANILA, Philippines —The Senate, sitting as impeachment court, directed Vice President Sara Duterte to reply within 10 days on the Articles of Impeachment against her.
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday convened the chamber as an impeachment court and served as its presiding officer while his fellow 23 senators act as judges.
"Pursuant to Article 7 of the Rules of Procedure of Impeachment Trial, she is directed to appear before the session hall of the Senate of the Philippines upon notice," Cayetano ruled.
"The Court has been organized and the Articles of Impeachment have been presented. Let a writ of summons be issued to the Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte who was directed to file an answer within a non-extendible period of 10 days from receipt," he said.
Cayetano directed the Sergeant at Arms to "serve the written summon on Vice President Sara Duterte along with the copy of the Articles of Impeachment."
"The prosecution may file a reply within a non-extendible period of five days from receipt of the answer. The parties may file their pleadings and annexes in person or through electronic mail," he said.
"All other pleadings, motions, similar papers intended for the consideration of this Court may be filed electronically. We will circulate with specific instructions on the format of the pleadings and manner of electronic filing for the guidance of all parties," he added.
