MANILA – 1Sambayan on Monday urged the Senate to start preparing for Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial to ensure that this would be “transparent, fair, and efficient.”

In an open letter to Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, the coalition’s conveners said the Senate should start revising the rules on impeachment as this would simplify and make the trial’s proceedings efficient.

“The impeachment rules should authorize the Senate President to forthwith issue summons to the impeached official to respond to the Articles of Impeachment within 15 non-extendible calendar days and require the prosecution to submit a reply within 5 non-extendible calendar days,” said 1Sambayan.

“Additionally, the Senate President should be authorized to require the submission of names of witnesses and their judicial affidavits in place of direct testimony, with copies provided to the opposing counsel,” the opposition coalition added.

Aside from this, Escudero must also be authorized to order the preservation of records on the case that are still in government agencies “either at the Senate President's own initiative or upon request by a party.”

The Senate President, 1Sambayan said, could order the Armed Forces of the Philippines to guard and preserve the records on the probe on Duterte’s two military aides who allegedly ended up in possession of the P125 million confidential funds.  

“These matters are vital to the fulfillment of the Senate's "sole power to try and decide" impeachment cases,” said 1Sambayan.

“Taking these steps now will ensure that the proceedings progress smoothly and without unnecessary delays,” it added.

The letter, dated Feb. 17, 2025, was signed by retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and Atty. Howard Calleja.

Over 200 House lawmakers had 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.

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