VP Sara Duterte impeachment trial faces uncertainty

An impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte faces uncertainty as its continuation into the 20th Congress is being debated.

Senator-elect Vicente Sotto III raised concerns about Senate rules potentially terminating pending impeachment matters at the end of a Congress, which might necessitate a Supreme Court ruling.

Duterte has already filed a petition questioning her impeachment.

However, Iloilo 3rd District Rep. Lorenz Defensor argued that the impeachment proceedings should continue into the next Congress, comparing the Senate's impeachment court function to regular courts that retain jurisdiction over cases despite changes in judges.

Defensor, a member of the House prosecution team, stated that the impeachment duty is separate from the Senate's legislative function and that the senator-judges of the 20th Congress would assume the case.

The impeachment case, filed in February, is scheduled to be acted upon by the Senate next week before the 19th Congress adjourns on June 13, 2025.