VP Sara's impeachment trial to start on July 6
By Dhel Nazario
Published May 21, 2026 10:44 am
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Updated May 21, 2026 01:45 pm
At A Glance
- Senator Erwin Tulfo said the Senate is eyeing July 6 as the start of the impeachment trial proper of Vice President Sara Duterte, following pre-trial proceedings and the exchange of pleadings between both camps.
- Tulfo said senators are planning a revised work schedule in which impeachment proceedings could run from the afternoon until late evening, while regular Senate sessions and committee hearings continue during the week.
- The senator said the Senate leadership agreed to publicly release the impeachment trial schedule soon so the public can monitor the proceedings through media and social media coverage.
Senator Erwin Tulfo on Thursday, May 21, said the Senate is eyeing July 6 as the start of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Senators, led by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, take their oath as the impeachment court convenes at the Senate in Pasay City on Monday, May 18, 2026, for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Duterte is facing impeachment charges over alleged misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, and statements against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then House Speaker Martin Romualdez. (Mark Balmores)
In a radio interview on DZMM, Tulfo said this was according to the discussions made after the all-member caucus on Wednesday, May 20.
Tulfo said the Senate timeline begins with the 10 days given to Duterte’s camp to respond to the impeachment complaint, after which the prosecution panel will be given five calendar days to submit its reply.
“After that, we will move on to the pre-trial proceedings,” Tulfo said, referring to the marking of evidence, witness statements, and other documentary submissions ahead of the formal trial.
In a statement released on May 20, the OVP said the summons was received at approximately 10:40 a.m.
He said senators are targeting July 6 for the opening of the impeachment proceedings after the sine die adjournment, with the Senate expected to adjust its schedule to accommodate both legislative work and the trial.
Under the proposed setup, Tulfo said the Senate would hold regular sessions every Monday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., before transitioning to impeachment proceedings in the afternoon, starting at 2 p.m. and potentially extending late into the evening.
He added that impeachment proceedings may also be held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, while Thursdays would be reserved for committee hearings and the filing of pleadings and other submissions by both camps.
Tulfo said senators also discussed making the trial schedule publicly available so the proceedings could be followed through media coverage and social media platforms.
“We suggested to the Senate President that the schedule be published so the public can follow the trial,” he said, adding that the finalized timetable may be released as early as next week.
The senator also noted that the Senate may return earlier than scheduled from its break to immediately begin proceedings.
“Post-SONA, it will be much faster. We will have to dedicate time for the trial,” Tulfo said, adding that senators may eventually spend three days a week on the impeachment trial and one day on legislative sessions and hearings.
He said Fridays may also be utilized for committee hearings if necessary, effectively extending Senate work from the usual three-day workweek to five days once the impeachment trial begins.