Senate President Francis Escudero has moved the presentation of the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to June 11, 2025. The change allows the Senate to focus on key legislative measures before the 19th Congress adjourns on June 14.
With only six session days remaining, Escudero emphasized the urgency of passing several priority bills.
In a letter sent May 29 to House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez—a copy of which was also transmitted to the office of Vice President Duterte—he listed at least 12 measures that Congress aims to approve before adjournment.
These priorities, discussed with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the May 29 Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council meeting, include: Amendments to the Foreign Investors’ Long-Term Lease Act; E-Governance Act; Open Access in Data Transmission (Konektadong Pinoy Act); Rationalization of the Fiscal Mining Regime; Amendments to the Universal Health Care Act; Virology Institute of the Philippines; Government Optimization Act; Amendments to the Right-of-Way Act; Setting the Term of Office for Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Officials; Judicial Fiscal Autonomy; Denatured Alcohol Tax; and the Anti-POGO Act
“With only six session days before the sine die adjournment, it is imperative for the Senate and the House of Representatives to prioritize the passage of these measures, consistent also with the administration’s thrust to align our government with the people’s needs and expectations,” said Escudero.
He also noted the need to confirm over 200 presidential appointments, including three cabinet secretaries, four constitutional commission officials, 39 foreign service officers, and 277 AFP officers.
The presentation of the Articles of Impeachment, originally scheduled for June 2, is the first formal step in initiating Senate proceedings. Once presented, the Senate may convene as an impeachment court to begin the trial.IMT
