Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said on Friday, February 6, that the Senate is always prepared to convene as an impeachment court following the transmittal of impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Sotto made the statement after House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil announced that her office has formally transmitted the two impeachment complaints filed against Duterte to the Office of Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III.

“The Senate is always ready, kasi part of our job yan eh. Kasama sa rules namin yan (The senate is always ready because it's part of our job. It's under our rules),” Sotto said in an interview.

He said the Senate already has standing rules for impeachment proceedings, which only need to be ratified again once the chamber receives the articles of impeachment.

Sotto said he has been preparing himself by being briefed by justices on rules of evidence and criminal procedure, which he said are crucial in handling impeachment cases, especially if he serves as presiding officer of the impeachment court.

“I would want to concentrate on how to be the presiding officer of an impeachment court pagdating sa rules of evidence at rules on criminal procedures,” he said.

“Kailangan maliwanag ang pananaw mo sa rules of evidence dahil maraming magagaling na abogadong magpapasa kung ano-ano sa court. Then yung rules on criminal procedures (You need to have a clear understanding of the rules of evidence because many skilled lawyers will try to submit all sorts of things in court. Then, there’s the rules on criminal procedures). I'm preparing for that, being the presiding officer,” he added.

Sotto noted that even if he does not serve as presiding officer, such as in cases where the president is impeached and the chief justice presides, senators must still be prepared as members of the impeachment court.

If the impeachment case against Duterte reaches the Senate, Sotto said he would propose adjusting the chamber’s schedule to prioritize the trial.

“Pag umaga, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, ang Senate legislative work, 9am to 1pm (“In the mornings of Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, the Senate legislative work runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m),” he said.

“And then most probably I would suggest that we do Monday to Friday from 3pm up sa impeachment court (“And then most probably, I would suggest holding the impeachment court Monday to Friday starting at 3 p.m.),” he added.

“Di pwedeng patagalin niyan, kailangan yan the fastest way possible. Unfair to the public and unfair to the person being charged (That cannot be delayed; it needs to be done in the fastest way possible. It’s unfair to the public and unfair to the person being charged),” he said.