Sotto sets mid-June start for possible impeachment trial

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

Senate President Vicente Sotto III (Senate of the Philippines/facebook)

MANILA – Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Monday said the impeachment trial proper could begin by mid-June once the Articles of Impeachment are transmitted to the Senate.

“Kung matanggap namin, kinabukasan tatawag agad ako na ma-convene namin ‘yung impeachment court. Kinabukasan itself (Once we receive it, I will immediately call to convene the impeachment court the next day. That same day),” Sotto said in a radio interview.

He said the Articles would first be reported to the plenary and referred to the Committee on Rules, after which the Senate may be convened as an impeachment court.

Sotto clarified that the term “forthwith” should be understood as immediate action, disputing interpretations of a recent ruling of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

He explained that the requirement to act “within reasonable time” applies to the trial proper, not the convening of the impeachment court.

He said the process would include giving the respondent 10 working days to answer the complaint, followed by five days for the prosecution’s reply, before proceeding to pre-trial.

“Ang gagawin ko dito, based on the experience, pre-trial muna before the trial proper (Based on experience, we will conduct pre-trial before the trial proper),” he said.

Sotto said the pre-trial would cover the marking of evidence, identification of witnesses, and stipulation of facts to streamline proceedings and avoid delays.

He also dismissed reports of lobbying efforts to block the impeachment, saying he has not received any such calls and would remain neutral.

“Out of service ang telepono ko… Kilala nila ako. Doon tayo sa neutral lagi (My phone is out of service… They know me. We remain neutral),” he said.

Sotto added that while attendance of an impeachment respondent is not mandatory under Senate rules, it is advisable.