Senate suspends Sara Duterte impeachment trial on August 19 due to rains

The Senate impeachment court suspended the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte due to the continuous rains caused by the southwest monsoon (habagat).

The order stemmed from a notice issued by Senate Secretary and Impeachment Clerk of Court Renato Bantug Jr. on Tuesday, August 18.

“In view of the anticipated continued heavy rainfall associated with the enhanced Southwest Monsoon and upon the instruction of the Presiding Officer, the trial scheduled on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 is hereby cancelled,” the notice read.

This decision comes after Malacañang ordered government offices in Metro Manila and other monsoon-affected areas to switch to alternative work setups amid the heavy rain.

Aside from the enhanced southwest monsoon, a low pressure area outside of the Philippine area of responsibility has also intensified into Tropical Depression Neneng.

As of 3 p.m., the center of Neneng was estimated at 1,025 kilometers east of Extreme Northern Luzon.

It was packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph. Neneng was moving northwestward at 20 kph.

PAGASA said the southwest monsoon, or Habagat, was affecting Luzon and the Visayas. — BAP, GMA News