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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Impeachment court can't hold virtual proceedings, Tongol says

Impeachment court can't hold virtual proceedings, Tongol says

Published Aug 17, 2026 05:45 pm

At A Glance

  • Impeachment Court spokesperson Atty. Regie Tongol pointed this out when the matter was raised after today's trial (Monday, August 17) was cut short following the announcement of government work suspension in Metro Manila due to the flooding brought about by the southwest monsoon or "habagat."


Despite the inclement weather, the Senate Impeachment Court cannot hold virtual proceedings as there is no rule for it, spokesperson Atty. Regie Tongol said on Monday, August 17.

“Virtual court hearings are not included in the impeachment rules; even in ordinary courts, this is only an exception,” Tongol told reporters in a press briefing right after Day 16 of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

The matter was raised after today’s trial was cut short following the announcement of government work suspension in Metro Manila due to the flooding brought about by the southwest monsoon or “habagat.”

Tongol explained that either party, the prosecution and or the defense panel, must move and give reasonable or justifiable reasons on the need to conduct the hearings virtually.

It may also be a “logistical nightmare” if the impeachment trial is set up as such, Tongol said, explaining that not only the 24 senator-judges are participating, but also the House prosecution panel, the defense team who have several members, and the staff of the senator-judges and the impeachment clerk of court.

"In an ordinary court, there is only one judge present, along with the court staff. But here, 24 senator-judges would also need to be online," he explained.
"To constitute a quorum, at least 13 must be online. So, that is quite a complex undertaking; plus, there is the House Prosecution Panel—which involves a large number of people—as well as the Respondents' Counsel, the staff of our Senator-Judges, and the Clerk of Court for the Impeachment Court," he further said.
"It would essentially be a logistical nightmare to hold a virtual hearing for the Impeachment Court for the time being, at least until we find a better solution or a better legal basis for it," Tongol said.

Last Monday, Aug. 10, the impeachment court postponed the trial due to the effects of a tropical cyclone and the southwest monsoon.

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Duterte impeachment case 2026 Senate impeachment court Impeachment Trial
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