PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Tuesday that it is unlikely the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte will be concluded during the current 19th Congress.
Speaking to reporters at Malacañan, Marcos said the timeline makes it virtually impossible to complete the proceedings before the new Senate convenes as part of the 20th Congress.
“It is very clear that it will. Because there is no way that even if they start the trial now, that they will finish it before the new senators come in. So, well, again, the Senators will decide,” he said.
Marcos reiterated his intention not to interfere in the process, emphasizing that the matter lies within the sole jurisdiction of the Senate.
He also expressed confidence in Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s efforts to ensure a smooth and orderly transition of the impeachment proceedings into the next Congress.
“This is really a function of the Senate now. The articles of impeachment have already moved from the House and have been with the Senate for several months. We are observing how Senate President Chiz Escudero is managing a peaceful transition from this Congress to the next,” he said.
On Monday, the Senate referred the impeachment complaint to its Committee on Rules, formally initiating the process that could lead to the convening of the impeachment court.
Earlier that day, Escudero took his oath as presiding officer of the impeachment court—a symbolic gesture that sets the stage for the trial to begin.
The Senate is expected to take further steps when it resumes session on June 11. Congress is set to adjourn sine die on June 30.
