Senate yet to decide on session, impeachment trial schedules

MANILA, Philippines — A final decision on the proposed changes to the schedule of Senate sessions and the impeachment trial has yet to be reached.

While Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said in a radio interview on Friday that there was already a consensus on the proposal to swap the schedule of plenary sessions and the impeachment trial, he said no changes in the schedule are to be expected in the coming week.

“Most likely, next next week,” he told the Inquirer in a message.

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Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente “Tito” Sotto III also said no decision had been agreed upon.

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When asked about the proposed trial change, Sotto told the Inquirer in a message, “Nope. We have not agreed yet.”

READ: Zubiri proposes trial be held 3 p.m. onwards for longer proceedings

The Senate had earlier considered changes to the trial schedule amid concerns over delays as Senator-Judge and Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri proposed swapping the schedules of the impeachment trial and the Senate’s regular plenary sessions.

So far, the impeachment court has used 16 of the 92 days allotted for the proceedings. Two trial days were also cancelled amid monsoon rains this week.

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With calls to hasten the proceedings and the start of the budget season on Aug. 27, pressure is mounting to settle the trial schedule.

When the impeachment trial initially began on July 6, the trial was held from 2 p.m. onwards every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

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At that time, the upper chamber was in sine die adjournment, allowing the Senate to devote its time to the proceedings.

But after the State of the Nation Address concurrent with the opening of the Congress’ Second Regular Session on July 27, the Senate also had to resume its legislative work.

READ: Weather, long testimonies delay Sara Duterte impeachment trial — Tongol

As a result, the impeachment trial was moved to the morning, beginning at 10 a.m. with the Senate’s regular plenary session following in the afternoon at 3 p.m., still every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Thursdays and Fridays were usually devoted to committee hearings.

Zubiri has proposed reversing this arrangement: holding regular Senate sessions at 10 a.m. and resuming the impeachment trial afterwards, potentially allowing the proceedings to continue until the evening.

However, pending a consensus being reached, the court had yet to decide on the matter.

Impeachment Court spokesperson Reginald Tongol in a briefing with Senate media on Wednesday said there are several options being considered to hasten the proceedings.

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Among them are the proposed swap; conducting more trial days per week including Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays; or simply adding more trial dates to the allotted 92 days should the defense and prosecution teams not choose to forego their other witnesses. /jpv