Manila: The Senate will only initiate preparations for a potential impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte once a formal impeachment complaint is submitted to the chamber, Senate President Francis Escudero announced on Thursday. Escudero emphasized that the Senate must follow due process, which could take about two to three weeks once the complaint is received, as discussed during the regular Kapihan sa Senado. According to Philippines News Agency, Escudero expressed concerns over early preparations, suggesting they might project a presumptuous image of the Senate. "No, I have no intention of doing that as a preparation because they might say that we are presumptuous, that we are assuming or that we know something that you don't," he stated. Escudero likened the situation to a judge who only acts when a case is formally filed in court. Escudero explained that an impeachment trial is inherently a political process but remains part of the Senate's constitutional duties. "It doesn't matter if we like it or not, if it's convenient for us or not. The important thing is that it's a job responsibility that the Constitution mandates us to do. And if it does happen, we will play the role," he added. Once the complaint is filed with the Senate, senators are expected to take their oath as judges of the impeachment court and then convene to establish procedures and rules for the proceedings, a process anticipated to last around three weeks. Escudero urged his colleagues to refrain from commenting on the contents of the complaint, a sentiment he himself echoed. Currently, two impeachment complaints have been filed against Vice President Duterte in the House of Representatives. The first complaint, filed on December 2, was endorsed by Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña, citing violations such as culpable violation of the constitution, graft and corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes. The second complaint, filed on December 4, was backed by lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc, in cluding Reps. France Castro, Arlene Brosas, and Raoul Manuel. This complaint highlights allegations of "abuse, misuse, and wastage" of confidential funds, systematic cover-up through fabricated reports to the Commission on Audit (COA), and obstruction of congressional investigations.