Senate Convenes as Impeachment Court for VP Sara Duterte Trial

The Philippine Senate has officially convened as an impeachment court to try Vice President Sara Duterte after all 23 senators took their oaths as senator-judges, led by Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero. The oath-taking was marked by some dissent, with Senators Imee Marcos, Cynthia Villar, and Robin Padilla choosing not to wear the traditional impeachment robes, and Marcos and Padilla expressing reservations about the validity and jurisdiction of the impeachment complaint. The convening followed a privilege speech by Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who sought to dismiss the impeachment complaint, but the motion was deferred until the Senate was formally convened as an impeachment court. Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and other minority bloc members pushed for the immediate convening of the court, emphasizing the constitutional duty of the Senate. Despite attempts by Duterte allies to delay or dismiss proceedings, the Senate moved forward with the trial, underscoring the importance of impartial justice in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the Philippines. The impeachment trial continues amid political maneuvering and procedural challenges within the Senate.