Senate delays VP Sara Duterte's impeachment from June 2 to 11

Senate President Francis Escudero has delayed the presentation of the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte from June 2 to June 11, allowing Congress more time to address urgent legislative priorities before its sine die adjournment on June 14.

The new schedule sets the formal transmission at 4 p.m. on June 11 and is a prerequisite for convening the Senate as an impeachment court.

Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel said he would ask Escudero about his decision to move the presentation of articles of impeachment, questioning how Escudero is now changing his 'impeachment calendar' issued months ago.

Escudero's letter to Speaker Ferdinand Romualdez stated that both legislative and impeachment matters needed prioritization, with the Senate needing more time for over 200 presidential appointments including three Cabinet secretaries, four constitutional commission officials, 39 foreign service officers, and 277 Armed Forces of the Philippines officers.

Other Senators agreed that passing priority measures should take precedence before sine die adjournment, emphasizing the need to finalize 12 priority bills within six session days.