Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said he will recommend the use of the impeachment rules applied during the trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona Jr. should the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte proceed.

According to a report by RH Raymund Dadpaas on Rapido Hataw Balita, Sotto said the existing rules remain complete and effective, noting that they do not contain any expiration or “sunset” provision.

According to the Senate President, drafting a new set of impeachment rules would only delay the possible start of the trial proper, as it would still require publication before implementation.

“It is in effect kung tutuusin, walang kami nilagay na sunset provision doon sa impeachment rules sa panahon ni Justice Corona. Kung tutuusin we can easily adopt it and I suggest we adopt it because malawak na ‘yun,” Sotto said.

He added that the rules already incorporate provisions of the Rules of Court as suppletory, covering all necessary procedures for impeachment proceedings, including requirements for a fair trial.

“In the rules it also includes if the rules of court as suppletory, so lahat ng kakailanganin namin sa impeachment ay naroroon na sa rules na ‘yun, even the free trial and whatever recommendation they want,” he said.

Sotto emphasized that it would be more practical for the Senate to retain and adopt the existing framework rather than revise it.

“Pinakamaganda is huwag na namin galawin ito, na ang approve namin tutal nandodoon naman 'yung rules of court sapagkat if we change it magpa-publication na naman,” he noted.

He also expressed confidence that the Senate can convene as an impeachment court within its upcoming session from May 4 to June 5, before the sine die adjournment.

However, he said the timeline will still depend on the House of Representatives, particularly on when it will transmit the Articles of Impeachment against the Vice President.