The Senate sitting as an Impeachment Court is ready to hold the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte in the next seven to eight months and is considering shortening the proceedings to allow the Upper Chamber sufficient room to pass important legislative measures.

This, despite the Senate running on a very tight schedule, especially with the upcoming deliberations on the proposed 2027 national budget, the succeeding committee hearings on the flood control anomalies and other issues, including possible amendments to the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.

“Actually, based on our estimates, the impeachment trial will run from 7 to 8 months. If we are going to start in July, we may be able to finish by February,” Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said in an interview over Radio DZBB.

“That’s why we are studying how we can expedite the impeachment trial because the Senate is not only occupied with the impeachment. We also have to tackle proposed laws. One of the most important this coming August would be the (national) budget. And we know the budget is one of the most difficult activities of the Senate.

“So, we are really studying that and of course, we will consult the prosecution and defense on how we can shorten the process and if they can lower the number of witnesses,” he said.

“So, we will consult with the prosecution and defense. Because there were 10,000 pieces of evidence that were marked. So, just imagine the time that would be spent if these 10,000 pieces would all be presented,” the Senate chief remarked.

Gatchalian also noted that the bulk of activities that would be conducted by the Upper Chamber during the impeachment trial would be studying the evidence and the testimonies of the witnesses.

Each senator would have to take the time to study the process, plus the possibility of new witnesses coming out in the course of the trial.

“So, when the trial opens, we will ask for a consultation with the defense and prosecution on how to expedite the process,” he said.

Nevertheless, Gatchalian said the Senate will push through with the start of the impeachment trial on July 6, despite the very tight schedule.

“But we will insist on finishing all the preliminaries. Tomorrow (Monday) we will issue the pre-trial order,” Gatchalian said.

“We will give both camps three days to file their comments. And then after that, we will prepare for the impeachment this coming July 6,” he further said.

Safer Senate

The Senate chief also said the Upper Chamber will still impose stricter security measures in and around the premises.

“Personally, I am doing a lot of preparations because the physical aspect of impeachment proceedings is also important. The security and mobility inside our offices is important,” he stressed.

Gatchalian also said he is personally reviewing the impeachment trial of then Chief Justice Renato Corona or the Corona impeachment trial in 2012.

“We learn a lot from that impeachment trial. So, we are doing a lot of preparations, but the bulk of it is being done by our Senate Secretary and Clerk of Court, Atty Rey Bantug,” he said.