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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Legarda brings veteran experience to VP Sara's trial; says impeachment not merely a legal exercise

Legarda brings veteran experience to VP Sara's trial; says impeachment not merely a legal exercise

Published Jul 7, 2026 04:32 pm

At A Glance

  • Senator Loren Legarda said she is bringing her veteran experience in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Senator Loren Legarda said she is bringing her veteran experience in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte. 
Legarda, a four-term lawmaker, is one of only two senators with three experience, having taken part in the impeachment proceedings against President Joseph Estrada from November 2000 to January 2001; Chief Justice Renato Corona from December 2011 to May 2012, and now Vice President Duterte in July 2025.
That is why, the senator said, "preparing for impeachment is not merely a legal exercise.”
“Preparing for impeachment is not merely a legal exercise. It is a test of judgment, conscience, and institutional duty. I have seen how impeachment trials test the strength of our institutions and the resolve of those who serve,” Legarda said.
“The process must rise above political factions and personal attacks, and focus only on the evidence, the Constitution, and whether the alleged acts warrant conviction,” she said. 
During the opening of the impeachment trial on Monday, July 6, Legarda manifested her believe that the question of who presides over the impeachment court must be resolved with fidelity to the intent of the framers of the 1987 Constitution. 
She warned that any departure from the traditional arrangement could place the vailidity and legitimacy of the trial in doubt, stressing that constitutional design should guide the Upper Chamber in exercising its duty.
The lawmaker also cited the pending challenge before the Supreme Court involving the June 3 Senate proceedings, where 12 senators designated Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as the Acting Senate President after electing him the Senate President Pro Tempore, and the adoption of Senate Resolution No. 430, including questions on the authority of the body that adopted it. 
Legarda, former Senate president pro tempore, clarified that her position in the issue of the Impeachment Court presiding officer is without prejudice to the final determination of the Supreme Court, affirming that she is not waiving any of her arguments in the case that is now under judicial review.

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Loren Legarda Senate impeachment court Duterte impeachment case 2026
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