Senate to hold security coordination conference ahead of VP Sara Duterte impeachment trial

The Senate’s Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) will convene a security coordinating conference later in the day, June 16 in preparation for the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte.

OSAA said the conference will discuss measures for security, safety, traffic management, emergency preparedness, and inter-agency coordination for the impeachment proceedings that will begin on July 6.

The meeting will be participated by officials and representatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, law enforcement agencies, and local government units, said OSAA.

Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian, Senate Secretary Atty. Renato N. Bantug Jr., House of Representatives Sergeant-at-Arms Ferdinand Melchor C. Dela Cruz are also expected to join the conference.

“The successful conduct of the impeachment proceedings requires the collective effort and close coordination of all concerned agencies. Through this conference, we hope to further strengthen our partnerships and ensure that the necessary security and safety measures are in place to support this important constitutional process,” said Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Police Alfred Corpus in a statement.

Before the impeachment trial begins next month, a pre-trial conference will occur on June 18 that is expected to be closed to the public.

The Articles of Impeachment approved by the House for Senate action accuse the Vice President of culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, bribery and other high crimes. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA News