MANILA — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson has proposed a schedule that would separate impeachment proceedings from regular legislative work to ensure the Senate can continue functioning once the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte is transmitted by the House of Representatives.

Under the proposal, impeachment hearings would be held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays starting at 3 p.m., while regular Senate sessions would take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Mornings, meanwhile, would be reserved for committee hearings.

Lacson said the arrangement is intended to prevent the Senate from being “paralyzed” if impeachment proceedings run daily or overlap with plenary work.

“Ibigay natin ang umaga sa ating mga kasamahan para makapag-review, makapaghanda at sa lahat. Para hindi rin mapahamak ang ating committee hearings,” he said.

He added that senators would still have sufficient time to prepare for both impeachment hearings and legislative duties, allowing the chamber to fulfill its constitutional mandate while continuing to pass measures.