Philippines Senate expects seven‑month impeachment trial for Vice President Sara Duterte

Senate President Win Gatchalian told reporters that the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is slated to begin on July 7 and could extend for up to seven months, possibly dragging into February of the following year. The Senate will issue a pre‑trial order on June 29, set a three‑day comment period for both camps, and seek to streamline the process by reducing the number of witnesses and expediting evidence review.

Legal commentators note that conviction requires a two‑thirds vote of the 24‑member Senate – 16 votes – but the effective voting pool may be smaller. Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is a fugitive and Senator Jinggoy Estrada is detained, limiting participation to roughly 22 senators and raising questions about whether enough votes will be available if more members become unavailable.

The impeachment proceeds amid the Senate’s broader agenda, including work on the 2027 national budget and other legislative priorities.