MANILA – Senate President Vicente Sotto III said he has been consulting members of the judiciary to prepare for a possible impeachment trial, particularly regarding the application of rules on evidence and criminal procedure.

In a virtual briefing, Sotto said preparation is necessary as part of the Senate’s constitutional duty should Articles of Impeachment be transmitted by the House of Representatives, including a case involving Vice President Sara Duterte.

“The Senate is always ready kasi part of our job ‘yan eh (because this is part of our job)… All we have to do is ratify it again, if ever we receive any Articles of Impeachment,” he said.

Sotto said he has been seeking guidance from two justices of the Court of Appeals and one justice from the Court of Tax Appeals for about two weeks.

“Kailangan maliwanag ng pananaw mo sa Rules of Evidence… At saka yung Rules on Criminal Procedures, I’m preparing for that being the presiding officer (You need to have a clear understanding of the Rules of Evidence… and the Rules on Criminal Procedure, I am preparing for that as presiding officer),” he said.

While the Senate President may preside over an impeachment court, Sotto emphasized that decisions do not rest on the presiding officer alone.

“Hindi ‘yung presiding officer ang masusunod, ‘yung court ang masusunod (It is not the presiding officer who prevails, but the court),” he said.

Sotto said he does not see significant differences between a possible impeachment trial and previous ones, noting that proceedings must follow established procedures and that contentious matters should be resolved by the full impeachment court.

“Hindi ikaw ang judge… Ang judge ‘yung buong Impeachment Court (You are not the judge… the judge is the entire Impeachment Court),” he said.

On scheduling, Sotto said he would propose maintaining regular Senate legislative work in the mornings from Monday to Wednesday, while dedicating afternoons from Monday to Friday to impeachment proceedings should a trial be convened.

“Di pwedeng patagalin ‘yan. Kailangan ‘yan the fastest way possible (It cannot be dragged out. It has to be done in the fastest way possible). Unfair to the public and unfair to the person being charged,” he said.

Asked about the possible timeline, Sotto said the duration of an impeachment trial would depend on the presentation of the prosecution and the defense.