Senate to Shorten Duterte Impeachment Trial for SONA Week

MANILA, Philippines – The Senate impeachment court will hold a shortened session for Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial this week to give way to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) and the minority bloc’s Kontra-Sona. Presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero announced on Tuesday at the end of the eighth day of Duterte’s impeachment trial that the fourth week of proceedings will commence from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday. The SONA is scheduled for July 27, coinciding with the opening of the Congress’ second regular session. The Kontra-Sona tradition will follow on July 28. Marcos is expected to recap the government’s achievements since the last Sona in 2025. The Kontra-Sona, on the other hand, will provide the Congress’ minority a platform to voice opposition to Marcos’ pronouncements. Escudero also stated that starting in August, the impeachment trial will be held from Monday to Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in lieu of plenary sessions scheduled on the same days from 4 p.m. onwards. This adjustment in the trial schedule highlights the interplay between judicial proceedings and significant political events in the Philippines.