Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said he was talking to lawyers and justices to prepare for Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, in case the House of Representatives elevates the case to the Senate. Moreover, he is undaunted by the role of presiding officer, having already taken part in previous impeachment trials, and confident that his knowledge of Senate rules will suffice.

“In the event that they find probable cause and there are articles of impeachment of any official that’s admitted to the Senate, because of my twice experience of being involved in any impeachment in the Senate, mayroon na tayo more or less background dito,” he assured.

“But then again, as presiding officer, I made sure that I will review the rules of court, I am being helped by a number of lawyers and at the very least two justices that are giving me a very good perspective of what to expect,” he continued.

Sotto confirmed that he has hired a legal team to assist him throughout the impeachment process.

“Mayroon akong dalawang current justices na kausap, at least dalawa, and a battery of lawyers,” he said, adding that he had also engaged the services of an individual he described as an “impeachment professional.”

The Senate President explained that, as an impeachment trial is a unique process, it was crucial to review court rules alongside the rules of impeachment and of the Senate

“Ang importante kasi is I brush up on the rules of court so that it may jive with the impeachment rules and the rules of the Senate because sui generis ang impeachment,” he said, noting that the system governing impeachment processes is not entirely determined by judicial principles.

Sotto called it a “crash program,” and said he will be taking two more programs next week.

Moreover, he assured that, despite not being a lawyer, he will be able to execute his duties as presiding officer at the impeachment trial appropriately.

“I don’t see that as a problem. Because the rules of the Senate (regarding impeachment trials) are involved in the impeachment rules that the Senate has passed before. And if ever we do use (them) again, ‘yun pa rin ‘yun, and (supplementary) ang rules of court,” he told the press.

“The important thing is that the presiding officer knows what’s going on and what will go on,” he added.

Preempting accusations of “premature” preparations, Sotto later said being ready to carry out his duties during an impeachment trial is only his job.

“It’s part of the work of the Senate, it’s part of the job order. Kaya ang tutuusin, even the Senate legal is empowered to prepare,” said the senator.

Sotto has also instructed his fellow senators to review the impeachment process rules themselves.