Senators’ robes for VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial ready

The robes that the senators will use for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte are all complete and just awaiting the final delivery, according to Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. 

“Waiting for complete delivery. Robes for two senators ang hinihintay,” Bantug said in a text message to reporters. 

“Nag-staggered delivery ang supplier on a first in, first our basis,” he added. 

Each robe that the senator will use cost around P7,000, said Bantug. 

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero earlier released an initial timetable for procedures related to the impeachment trial of Duterte, setting the tentative start of the trial on July 30. 

Should Escudero’s timeline be followed, the Articles of Impeachment will be presented on June 2 or upon the resumption of sessions and the impeachment court will be convened the following day. 

The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on February 5, with over 200 lawmakers endorsing the complaint. The Articles of Impeachment were transmitted to the Senate the same day, but the upper chamber adjourned without addressing the case.

Meanwhile, Duterte has filed a Supreme Court petition challenging the validity of the impeachment complaint.

Lawyers from Mindanao and other groups have also asked the SC to stop the trial, calling the complaint defective.

Another petition filed by lawyer Catalino Generillo Jr. seeks to compel the Senate to convene as an impeachment court immediately. —LDF, GMA Integrated News