Manila:Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian announced on Tuesday that the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is expected to extend into December. This comes as the Senate balances the defense's presentation of evidence with deliberations on the proposed 2027 national budget.
According to Philippines News agency, Gatchalian indicated that the Senate would likely be unable to conclude the trial by November. He emphasized that the defense has yet to present its evidence and witnesses, making it too early to speculate on the trial's outcome or subsequent actions.
The impeachment proceedings, which are scheduled to resume on November 9, will allow the defense to present its case following the prosecution's conclusion on October 15. The trial will focus on the remaining charge of alleged unexplained wealth, as the Senate impeachment court has accepted the withdrawal of three other articles.
Gatchalian also addressed logistical challenges, noting the difficulty of balancing the impeachment trial with the Senate's budget deliberations. To manage this, the Senate plans to prioritize the impeachment trial initially, then temporarily suspend proceedings for budget discussions, and potentially resume the trial if the defense has not finished its presentation.
The Senate President is working with Senate finance committee chairperson Senator JV Ejercito to finalize the legislative calendar and prevent delays. Gatchalian declined to comment on succession plans for the vice presidency, stating that the impeachment process should be completed first.
