Sara Duterte impeachment trial possible by mid-May, says SP Sotto

Should the House of Representatives transmit the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte by the first week of May, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said Tuesday that the Senate as an impeachment court may begin the trial two weeks after.

In a media interview, Sotto explained that the Senate may convene as an impeachment court immediately a day after it receives the articles of impeachment from the lower chamber. 

He added the Senate will then have to prepare for the trial for about two weeks after that.

The Congress is currently on legislative break and will resume session on May 4, 2026. 

“Let's say, by May 5, mag-convene. Within a month, matagal na ‘yun… Ako, tingin ko mga in a matter of two weeks, more or less two weeks, siguro nakahanda na ‘yun (trial),” Sotto said. 

(Let’s say we convene by May 5. Holding a trial a month after is already a long time. I think, we could prepare for the trial in a matter of two weeks, more or less two weeks.) 

Sotto, who is expected to sit as the presiding officer of the impeachment court, also stood firm that the Senate will act “forthwith” on the articles of impeachment that may possibly be transmitted to the upper chamber.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on the possibility that the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte being transmitted to the Senate: “I will act on it with dispatch, definitely forthwith.” @gmanews @gmanewsbreaking pic.twitter.com/qL7W2bFTps

— Giselle Ombay (@giselleombay_) April 21, 2026

“I will act on it with dispatch. Definitely, forthwith. As soon as the Senate receives it, I will inform the Senate and refer it to the Committee on Rules,” he said. 

He also said there is no need to define “forthwith” —a term that became controversial during the past Congress when the articles of impeachment reached the Senate, which was then under the leadership of former Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero. 

“I know what the meaning of forthwith is,” Sotto said. 

This was in reference to Article XI Section 3(4) of the 1987 Constitution, which states that: “In case the verified complaint or resolution of impeachment is filed by at least one-third of all the Members of the House, the same shall constitute the Articles of Impeachment, and trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed.”

Convict?

Sotto also brushed off allegations that he, along with Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Senator Risa Hontiveros, and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, will vote in favor of convicting the Vice President. 

“Yung mga maruruming alegasyon, iwan na natin sa basurahan kasi maling mali ‘yun. It can go both ways. Pwedeng pagbintangan niyo iba na in favor. Mali ‘yan, hindi tama ‘yan. You're not contributing to the wellness of the country,” he said. 

(Let's leave those dirty allegations in the trash because they're very wrong. It can go both ways. You can also accuse others in favor [of acquitting her]. That's not right. You're not contributing to the wellness of the country.) 

Likewise, he also urged fellow senators, who may potentially sit as senator-judges, to be impartial in and out of the court, regardless of their political alliance. 

“In the discharge of duties, a judge shall not only be impartial but must also appear to be impartial,” Sotto said. 

Not a lawyer? No problem

Sotto, a veteran lawmaker, also said that not being a lawyer would not be a hindrance for him if he sits as presiding officer of the Senate impeachment court. 

“I don't see that as a problem because the rules of the Senate are involved in the impeachment rules that the Senate has passed before. And if ever we do use it again, ‘yun pa rin ‘yun (that’s still it) and suppletory ang rules of court,” he explained. 

He also said that he is continuing his review of the rules of court, and that he is being advised by a few lawyers and at least two justices. 

Pending the House’s decision on the impeachment, Sotto also expressed confidence in his leadership. 

“I don't feel any problem or any worries at this point,” he said. —RF, GMA News