Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano has signed the letter informing the House that the Senate had received the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte and would immediately move to convene as an impeachment court.
In the letter sent to House Speaker Faustino Dy III, Cayetano said the Senate received the Articles of Impeachment on May 13 and plans to convene the impeachment court on May 18 at 3 p.m., unless questions on rules and procedures are raised.
Cayetano said the majority bloc is not trying to delay the proceedings and is ready to follow existing impeachment rules.
“There’s no reason not to convene and take our oaths on Monday,” he said.
Once convened, Cayetano will take his oath as presiding officer, followed by the 23 senator-judges, before summons are issued to the parties involved.
He said the Senate would strictly follow the Constitution and impeachment rules, adding that the length of the trial would depend on the number of witnesses and Articles involved.
The Senate chief also assured the public the chamber would balance its legislative work and impeachment duties without unnecessary delay.IMT
