VP Duterte impeachment trial schedule adjusted for SONA, minority's 'Kontra-SONA'

The Senate impeachment court has adjusted the schedule for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero announced Tuesday. According to Escudero, there will be no trial on Monday, July 27, to give way to the fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. No trial will also be held the following day, July 28, to allow senators from the minority bloc to prepare for and deliver their so-called “Kontra-SONA,” which is a counterpoint to the President’s SONA. Escudero said senator-judges agreed during a caucus that the trial will resume on Wednesday, July 29, at 10 a.m. Beginning in August, the impeachment trial will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Monday to Wednesday. Senate legislative sessions, meanwhile, will begin at 4 p.m. on the same days, Escudero said. The impeachment court will resume proceedings this Wednesday, July 22, at 2 p.m. for the continuation of the cross-examination of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag. With Matibag expected to continue testifying on Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment on Wednesday, Escudero said the court may begin tackling Article I next week. Article IV covers Duterte’s alleged grave threat and assassination plot against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez, while Article I pertains to Duterte’s alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds. Escudero thus temporarily recalled the subpoenas issued to Landbank representatives Violeta Constantino and Nenita Camposano until further notice. Addressing the two prospective witnesses, Escudero said: “You do not need to come to the court tomorrow. The court is temporarily withdrawing the subpoena issued to you, and we will issue a new subpoena when you are required to appear before the Senate impeachment court.”