Senate urged to prepare for Sara Duterte-Carpio impeachment trial

Political analysts are urging the Philippine Senate to start preparing for the impeachment trial of Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio during their congressional break as mandated by the Constitution.

More than 200 congressmen have filed and signed an impeachment complaint against Ms. Duterte, surpassing the one-third requirement set by the Constitution.

The House of Representatives sent the bill of the impeachment complaint to the Senate on the last day of the session, consisting of seven articles including allegations of plotting assassination, misuse of funds, amassing unexplained wealth, and destabilization acts.

Former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Adolf Azcuna asserts that despite Congress being in recess, the Senate can still convene for the impeachment trial as it is mandated by Article XI of the Constitution.

Azcuna emphasizes that once the Articles of Impeachment are filed, the Senate must proceed to take oaths and acquire jurisdiction over the complaint, regardless of legislative recess periods.