Vice President Sara Duterte holds a press conference with the media at the Office of the Vice President in Mandaluyong City on February 7, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Wednesday urged his Senate colleagues to refrain from talking about Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial. 

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Speaking to reporters, Escudero reminded senators of their role as impeachment judges should the trial push through.

“Ang interes ko ang nais kong panatalihin, ang pagiging pantay, parehas ng korte at pagiging kapani-paniwala ng anumang magiging desisyon ng impeachment court,” said Escudero.

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“Yun ang rason bakit pinapaalalahanan ko ang mga senador na maghunos dili sa pagpapahayag kaugnay sa impeachment na wala pa man silang nakikitang ebidensya mula sa magkabilang panig o anuman ang kanilang magiging pinal na desisyon sa bagay na ito,” he added.

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Some senators, including allies of the Dutertes, earlier expressed concerns on the Vice President’s impeachment trial, saying they would fight this.

Last week, over 200 House lawmakers approved a resolution to impeach Duterte, paving the way for a Senate-led trial. Sixteen votes in the 24-seat Senate are needed to deliver a conviction that would bar Duterte from public office, including a presidential run she says she is "seriously considering".

However, Escudero had said that Duterte’s impeachment trial will likely kick off in July, during the 20th Congress after President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s State of the Nation Address.

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Duterte downplayed her impeachment and said her lawyers had been preparing for it as early as 2023. 

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