The Senate formally convened as an impeachment court on Monday, May 18, for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

The Vice President faces allegations of culpable violation of the 1987 Constitution, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust.

The chamber opened its plenary session before moving to adopt the Articles of Impeachment transmitted by the House of Representatives.

Shortly after, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian moved for the adoption of the impeachment articles and the suspension of the regular session to allow the Senate to formally constitute itself as an impeachment court.

Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano subsequently suspended the session to prepare for the convening of the court. He later took his oath as presiding officer of the impeachment court, with Senator Camille Villar administering the oath.

All 23 senators present took their oath as senator-judges during the proceedings, donning maroon robes as they officially assumed their roles in the impeachment trial.

The Senate is set to begin deliberations on the Articles of Impeachment as trial proceedings formally commence.

During the roll call, all sitting senators were present except Senator Bato dela Rosa, whose seat remained empty during Monday’s session.

Dela Rosa’s absence comes after reports of his controversial departure from the Senate in the previous week, following a tense incident and amid ongoing legal and political developments involving his status.

His absence was noted during the formal convening of the impeachment court.

The Senate impeachment court will now proceed with trial stages, where senators acting as judges are expected to hear arguments, examine evidence, and ultimately vote on the articles of impeachment.