Tolentino files resolution for 19-day impeachment trial vs VP Sara

Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino has formally filed Senate Resolution No. 1367, proposing a 19-day calendar for an expedited impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte.

The resolution aims to conclude the trial within the current 19th Congress to avoid constitutional concerns about carrying over impeachment proceedings to subsequent legislative sessions.

The proposed schedule includes specific dates, with the impeachment court to be constituted on June 11.

Vice President Sara Duterte's answer is to be submitted between June 11 and June 21, followed by a prosecutors' reply on June 22.

Trial briefs are to be submitted on the morning of June 23, with opening statements in the afternoon.

The prosecution and defense will have June 24-25 and June 25-26 respectively for presenting evidence.

Rebuttals are scheduled for June 27, oral arguments for June 28, a closed-door meeting of senator-judges on June 29, and the rendition of the verdict on June 30.

Tolentino emphasized that the expedited calendar provides a full and fair opportunity for parties to articulate their positions and ensures a timely resolution before the 19th Congress ends.