Photo Release

SP Chiz convenes Impeachment Court: Senate President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero reconstituted on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, the Senate as an Impeachment Court to open the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte. Escudero made the motion after Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa delivered a privilege speech calling for the dismissal of the impeachment complaints. The Senate President ruled that Dela Rosa’s speech and all other motions related to the impeachment complaint be tackled by the members of the Senate as an impeachment court. Escudero then banged the gavel and gave the senators until 6:15 p.m. to change clothes and don their impeachment robes, after which they were convened as an impeachment court. During the resumption of the session, Senators Cynthia Villar, Robin Padilla and Imee Marcos were seen not wearing their robes. Escudero then administered the oath of 22 senator-judges, swearing that “in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte, now pending, I will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and the laws of the Philippines.” Marcos explained that she is taking the oath without prejudice to the resolution of jurisdictional issues as well as issues pertaining to the validity of the impeachment complaints while Padilla said he is taking the oath “with reservation.” (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)