LOOK: Senators don robes as they convene as impeachment court for VP Sara trial — ANC

[0:00] Persons are commanded to keep silent under pain of penalty while the Senate is sitting [0:05] in trial on the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sarah Zimmerman Duterte. [0:12] The clerk of court will please call the roll. [0:15] Roll call of members, the Honorable Senator Judges, Aquino, Cayetano Pia, De La Rosa, [0:23] Ejercito, Escudero, Estrada, Gatchalian, Goh, Ontiveros, Lacson, Lapid, Legarda, Marcoleta, [0:40] Marcos, Padilla, Pangilinan, Soto III, Tulfo Irwin, Tulfo Rafi, Villoneva, Villar Camille, Villar Marc, [0:57] Zubiri, the Senate President. [1:01] With 23 Senator Judges present, the Chair declares the presence of a quorum. [1:10] Senator Judge Villanueva. [1:12] Yes, Mr. President, Sir Presiding Officer, may we request Senator Judge Camille Villar [1:20] to ascend the rostrum to administer the oath of the Senate President. [2:02] Please raise your right hand. [2:04] Impeachment trial of Vice President Sarah Zimmerman Duterte. [2:09] I state your name. [2:10] I, Alan Peter Compañero Shram Cayetano, [2:14] solemnly swear [2:15] solemnly swear [2:17] that in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of Vice President Sarah Zimmerman Duterte, [2:24] that in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of Vice President Sarah Zimmerman Duterte, [2:31] now pending, [2:32] now pending, [2:33] I will do impartial justice according to the Constitution. [2:38] I will do impartial justice according to the Constitution. [2:46] And laws of the Philippines. [2:47] And the laws of the Philippines. [2:49] So help me God. [2:50] So help me God. [2:51] At this time, [3:00] I will administer the oath of each of the Senator Judges in the Chamber [3:04] in conformity with Article 11, Section 3, Paragraph 6 of the Philippine Constitution [3:10] and Rule 3 of the Senate Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trials. [3:15] May we request everyone to rise. [3:21] Same oath. [3:27] Same oath. [3:28] I state your name. [3:40] Solemnly swear [3:41] that in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of Vice President Sarah Zimmerman Duterte, [3:50] pertaining to the trial of the impeachment of Vice President Sarah Zimmerman Duterte, [3:56] now pending, [3:57] now pending, [3:57] I will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and the laws of the Philippines. [4:05] According to the Constitution and the laws of the Philippines. [4:08] So help me God. [4:09] So help me God. [4:16] Senator Judge Villanueva. [4:18] Thank you, Mr. President. [4:21] Last Thursday, May 14, 2026, [4:25] the House of Representatives, [4:27] through Secretary General Celoy Garrafil, [4:30] personally delivered to the Senate the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sarah Zimmerman Duterte, [4:39] pursuant to Article 11, Section 3, Paragraph 3 of the Constitution, [4:45] and Rule 4, Section 11 of the Rules of Procedure in the Impeachment Proceedings of the House of Representatives. [4:53] Earlier today, [4:55] the Articles of Impeachment were referred to the Committee on Rules [4:58] and, consequently, to the Senate sitting as an impeachment court. [5:03] Mr. President, [5:04] the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sarah Zimmerman Duterte, [5:08] with its annexes, [5:10] are now presented to the court for proper disposition and action. [5:15] The same is duly noted and made of record. [5:18] For the record, [5:25] Resolution No. 39, [5:27] or the Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trial, [5:30] shall continue to apply. [5:32] We further note that Rule 6, [5:34] thereof which provide that the provisions of the Rules of the Senate [5:38] and the Revised Rules of Court shall apply, [5:41] supletorily, [5:42] whenever applicable. [5:44] The court having been recognized, [5:50] the court having been organized, [5:52] and the Articles of Impeachment having been presented, [5:55] let a writ of summons be issued to the Vice President, [5:59] Sarah Zimmerman Duterte, [6:01] who is directed to file her answer within a non-extendable period of 10 days from receipt, [6:06] pursuant to Article 7 of the Rules of Procedure of Impeachment Trial. [6:10] Pursuant to Article 7 of the Rules of Procedure of Impeachment Trial, [6:11] she is directed to appear before the session hall of the Senate of the Philippines upon notice. [6:17] The Sergeant at Arms is directed to serve the written summons on Vice President Sarah Duterte along with a copy of the articles of impeachment. [6:28] The prosecution may file a reply within a non-extendable period of five days from receipt of the answer. [6:36] The parties may file their pleadings and annexes in person or through electronic mail. [6:44] All other pleadings, motions, similar papers intended for the consideration of this court may be filed electronically. [6:51] We will circulate the specific instructions on the format for the pleadings and manner of electronic filing for the guidance of all parties. [7:02] Mr. President, may we be clarified when you say 10 days, is that working days or calendar days? [7:15] Calendar days. [7:16] Calendar days, including the five days for the prosecution to respond. [7:23] Yes, Your Honor. [7:24] Thank you. [7:25] The clerk of court is hereby authorized to calendar the case for pre-trial and issue the corresponding notices to the parties after the last pleading is filed. [7:40] Upon conclusion of the pre-trial, the trial proper shall commence on a date and time fixed by the court, of which the parties shall be duly notified. [7:50] I approached the members of the minority of the Senate, and later on I will approach the senator judges, that we will fix the calendar together. [8:02] And in pursuit of impartial justice, we will come up with an impeachment calendar that is fair to the prosecution and to the defense, [8:14] and will allow us to continue to function in the legislative side of our work.