Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano announced Thursday, May 14, that the Senate will convene as an impeachment court on Monday, May 18, at 3 p.m., following the receipt of the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.

SP Cayetano said he has formally accepted the impeachment complaint and has written to House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III to confirm the Senate’s readiness to proceed.

The move sets the formal start of impeachment proceedings, with senators expected to take their oaths as judges during the session.

Cayetano said the decision to convene promptly aims to dispel concerns that recent leadership changes in the Senate were intended to delay the process.

“There’s no reason whatsoever to dilly-dally,” Cayetano said. “Having said that, kung may nag-bring up na ito yung mga nangyayari… baka magbotohan. But so far, yung aming trese ang sinasabi is there’s no reason why not to convene and take out oaths on Monday.”

The Senate’s action comes amid heightened political attention on the impeachment case and following a shooting incident inside the Senate building on Wednesday night, May 13, which triggered a brief lockdown and ongoing investigation.