Senate approves new schedule for impeachment trial, budget hearings

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate has approved a new schedule for the impeachment trial, Senate sessions, and budget hearings for the months of September and October.

The new schedule was agreed to in an all-senators caucus, according to Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri.

For September, the schedule will be as follows:

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• Sept. 7, 8, 9 – impeachment in the morning; budget hearings and sessions for the legislative agenda in the afternoon
• Sept. 10, 11 – budget hearings the whole day
• Sept. 14, 15, 16 – impeachment in the morning; budget hearings and sessions for the legislative agenda in the afternoon
• Sept. 17, 18 – budget hearings the whole day
• Sept. 21, 22, 23  – impeachment in the morning; budget hearings and sessions for the legislative agenda in the afternoon
• Sept. 24, 25 – budget hearings the whole day
• Sept. 21, 22, 23  – impeachment in the morning; budget hearings and sessions for the legislative agenda in the afternoon
• Sept. 30 – suspension of session.

READ: Impeach court eyes whole day October trials, focus on budget in November

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Meanwhile, the October schedule will be:

• Oct. 1, 2 – impeachment the whole day
• Oct. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 – impeachment the whole day
• Oct. 12, 13, 14, 15 – impeachment the whole day
• Oct. 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 – budget hearings the whole day, when necessary.

Zubiri shared the new Senate’s schedule in a post on X Monday where he said, “As Majority Leader, we’ll make sure the Senate’s work is smooth and continuous.”

This schedule comes as the Senate sitting as an impeachment court tries Vice President Sara Duterte along with scrutinizing the country’s 2027 spending plan.

Senators previously suspended Senate rules prohibiting committee meetings and hearings while the chamber is in session.

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READ: Senate allows budget hearings, plenary sessions after morning trials

According to Senate President Win Gatchalian, the exemption to conduct hearings simultaneously with the plenary sessions would apply exclusively to the finance committee and its subcommittees for purposes of budget hearings. /jpv