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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Senate impeachment court suspends trial for SONA, releases new schedule

Senate impeachment court suspends trial for SONA, releases new schedule

Published Jul 21, 2026 07:52 pm

At A Glance

  • The Senate impeachment court will not hold trial on July 27 due to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s State of the Nation Address (SONA) and on July 28 to allow the Senate Minority to prepare and deliver its traditional contra-SONA.
  • Starting July 29, the impeachment trial will adopt a new schedule of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Senate plenary sessions to begin at 4 p.m. The same schedule will be observed every Monday to Wednesday throughout August.
  • NBI Director Melvin Matibag committed to return on Wednesday, July 22, at 2 p.m. to continue his testimony before the impeachment court without the need for a subpoena.
The Senate impeachment court will suspend the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on July 27 and 28 to give way to President Marcos Jr.'s State of the Nation Address (SONA) and the minority's contra-SONA.
Scenes during the second day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate Session Hall in Pasay City on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (Mark Balmores)
Scenes during the second day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate Session Hall in Pasay City on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (Mark Balmores)
Wrapping up the trial on Tuesday, July 21, Presiding officer Francis "Chiz" Escudero said the senator-judges agreed during a caucus to cancel the trial on Monday, July 27, because of the President's SONA.
The impeachment court also agreed to forego trial on Tuesday, July 28, to allow members of the Senate Minority to prepare and deliver their customary contra-SONA.
Beginning July 29, the impeachment trial will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Senate plenary sessions scheduled to start at 4 p.m.
Escudero said the new schedule would continue throughout August, with trial proceedings to be held every Monday to Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
He reminded lawyers for both the prosecution and the defense to take note of the revised schedule.
The presiding officer also clarified that the new trial hours would not yet apply to Wednesday's proceedings, when National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag is set to resume his testimony.
Meanwhile, Escudero asked Matibag to return on Wednesday, July 22, at 2 p.m. to continue his cross-examination, as well as any redirect or recross examination, and to answer further questions from senator-judges.
Without issuing a subpoena, Escudero sought Matibag's commitment to appear, to which the NBI chief replied, "Yes, Your Honor. Gladly."

Related Tags

impeachment court Vice President Sara Duterte State of the Nation Address (SONA) President Marcos
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