Senate Sets 3 Straight Weeks for VP Duterte Impeachment Trial in October

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate has finalized its calendar for the next seven weeks, reserving its mornings for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte and its afternoons for the proposed 2027 national budget. The schedule takes effect today and runs through October 23, according to the calendar released by Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri on Monday. Senators have been lamenting how the trial may eat up the hours the Senate typically devotes at this time of the year to deliberating the proposed national budget. The adjusted calendar was settled in an all-senators caucus and formally announced last week. Here's what it looks like: The adjusted Senate schedule, as agreed upon in an all-member caucus, sets three straight weeks of the impeachment trial in October. September afternoons combine budget hearings with plenary sessions. October 19 to 23 budget hearings are held when necessary. In September, the Senate has arranged its schedule so that the trial will take place in the mornings from Monday through Wednesday. During the afternoons of those days, senators will hold budget hearings and the plenary sessions. Thursdays and Fridays are dedicated entirely to budget hearings. October will see the Senate devote three straight weeks to the impeachment trial as full-day hearings are set for October 1 and 2, October 5 to 9, and October 12 to 15. Budget hearings then resume whole-day on October 16, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23, when necessary, according to the calendar. Presiding officer Sen. Chiz Escudero earlier said the trial will then resume on November 9 and November 16, both Mondays, with the rest of those weeks reserved for floor debates on the budget. This impeachment trial could reflect heightened political tensions within the Duterte administration. The Vice Presidency remains a significant position in Philippine politics, with its proceedings drawing both domestic and international attention.