Gatchalian hopes to conclude VP Duterte impeachment trial this year

The Senate opens the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, convening as an impeachment court on Monday, July 6, 2026. Joseph B. Vidal, Senate Social Media Unit/File

MANILA — Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian hopes Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial will not drag until 2027.

“We hope na until this year para mawala rin yung uncertainty. Dahil itong impeachment is an uncertainty, political uncertainty. At nakaka-apekto ito sa mga negosyante dahil kapag may mga ganitong impeachment, hindi muna sila nag-i-invest, nag-hold sila. So gusto natin na patuloy yung kanilang investment,” said Gatchalian.

Despite this, the Senate chief declined to peg the Senate to a time table that will conclude the trial by December.

“May papasok na kami sa defense. So we will hear the defense, yung kanilang witnesses and testimonies, doon na kami papasok. Depende yan. Kung ilan ang ipepresent ng defense as witnesses. But we are hoping that we can do this soon. Hopefully before the end of the year,” he said.

“It really depends sa defense kung ilan ang ipepresenta nilang witness. Kung makikita natin yung takbo, nagbabago. Ang laki na ng pagbabago compared to the pre-trial conference. So, antayin namin yung isasubmit ng defense na listahan nila ng kanilang mga testigo, Titignan natin doon,” Gatchalian added.

The Senate impeachment court is currently on break. It is set to hold a full-week schedule once it resumes on November 9.