1Sambayan urges Escudero to prep for VP Sara’s impeachment trial

Opposition coalition 1Sambayan urged Senate President Francis Escudero on Monday to prepare for the impending impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

In a letter, retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio and lawyer Howard Calleja outlined necessary preparatory steps, including revising impeachment rules to authorize the Senate President to issue summons and set strict deadlines for responses.

Escudero previously stated that the Senate can only convene as an impeachment court when Congress is in session, meaning the trial would start in July 2025.

1Sambayan also recommended empowering the Senate President to order preservation of records related to the case, including those involving Vice President Duterte's military aides and P125 million confidential funds.

Former IBP National President Domingo Cayosa emphasized that due process mandates the Senate begin the impeachment trial.

Over 200 House lawmakers had approved a resolution to impeach Duterte, paving the way for a Senate-led trial requiring sixteen votes in the 24-seat Senate to deliver a conviction and bar her from public office.

Duterte downplayed her impeachment, stating that her lawyers had been preparing for it since 2023.