Outgoing Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino believed the Senate could complete the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte in just 19 days, proposing an expedited schedule to ensure proceedings conclude within the current 19th Congress.
“May nilatag po ako proposal na 19-day calendar na kayang theoretically na kayang tapusin ula 11 hanggang 30,” Tolentino said in an interview with DZRH Dos Por Dos on Monday, June 9.
Tolentino emphasized that the impeachment process cannot be carried over to the 20th Congress, which convenes in July 2025.
“I repeatedly read the Constitution. There’s no word like ‘carry over,’ no concept of continuing,” he said.
“Ang forthwith po ay command sa 19th Congress. Hindi po ito command sa 20th o sa 21st Congress,” Tolentino continued.
To meet the tight timeline, Tolentino urged the House of Representatives' prosecution panel to streamline its case by reducing the Articles of Impeachment from seven to just two or three.
“Kung may cooperation ang panel of prosecutors, siguro pwede nilang i-withdraw ang iba, gawin na lang dalawa o tatlo para mapabilis,” he added.
Tolentino explained that debates are expected to begin within the next few days and that the House panel will decide by June 11 whether to elevate the matter to the Senate sitting as an impeachment court.
“Sa pagkakaalam ko, magsisimula na ang mga debate patungo sa June 11 kung saan ipe-present na ng panel of prosecutors ang mga usapin na iyon—ito bang usapin ay for plenary or for impeachment court,” he said.
When asked about circulating reports that some senators might move to prematurely dismiss the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, Senator Tolentino clarified that he has not seen any official resolution filed.
He also downplayed the viral documents circulating on social media, despite Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa admitting that the draft originated from his office.
“Nobody can prevent a senator from filing a resolution... Pero ang paninindigan ko diyan, kung magkakaroon ng dismissal, dapat pagkatapos pa ng June 30,” Tolentino stressed.
He emphasized that while the Senate as an institution is not dissolved at the end of a Congress, its legislative business is not continuing unless explicitly stated in the Constitution.
“Hindi naman po nadidissolve ang Senado, pero ang business, hindi continuing. Ganun din naman po ang Lower House. Kung iyan talaga ang intention nila, dapat nilagay nila sa Saligang Batas. Bakit hindi nila nilagay,” he pointed out.
Tolentino reiterated his support for starting the process immediately, saying he had already begun reviewing materials in anticipation of the June 11 session.
“Sang-ayon ako sa inyo [na simulan na ang proseso], kaya nga po gumawa tayo ng expedited calendar para sa June 11. Ako nga po ay willing pa — nung June nagbasa-basa po ako,” he said.
Here is Tolentino’s proposed 19-day impeachment trial timeline:
- June 11 — Formation of the Impeachment Court
- June 12–21 — Period for Vice President Sara Duterte to respond (10 days from June 11)
- June 22 — Prosecution submits their reply
- June 23 — Submission of trial briefs (morning) and delivery of opening statements (afternoon)
- June 24–25 — Presentation of evidence by the Prosecution
- June 25–26 — Presentation of evidence by the Defense (overlaps with final day of prosecution)
- June 27 — Rebuttal by Prosecution and Defense (if necessary)
- June 28 — Oral arguments
- June 29 — Closed-door deliberation by Senator-Judges
- June 30 — Final verdict
According to Tolentino the proposed timeline is still unofficial and has not yet been presented to Senate President Chiz Escudero, as the impeachment case has not been formally referred to the Senate Committee on Rules.
