MANILA — A change in Senate leadership is not the answer to stop the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Senator Erwin Tulfo said.

“It’s not the answer,” Tulfo told Super Radyo dzBB, warning that such a move would be seen negatively by the public.

“Magtatanong ang mga tao bakit nagkudeta (The people will question why there was a coup d’état.) A question cannot answer another question,” he said.

“Magiging halatang halata sila, kung ‘yung grupong mag-i-initiate ng kudeta. How will they explain to the public na kaya nag-coup para hindi matuloy ang impeachment?” he added.

In a report, it said that Senate President Vicente Sotto III, meanwhile, said he is leaving the fate of his position to divine providence.

“I heard. As always, I serve at the pleasure of my peers. I uphold and follow the Constitution! I leave everything to God’s plan. I trust HIS Heart!” Sotto said.

Sotto earlier said the Senate would convene immediately and hold pre-trial proceedings before the formal impeachment trial begins.

Tulfo said the Senate is planning to hold impeachment trial sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays starting at 3 p.m., but emphasized that proceedings will not start immediately to allow both prosecution and defense time to prepare.

“Nag-usap kami ni SP Sotto, ang sabi niya definitely we have to convene forthwith, pero it doesn’t mean to say na magkakaroon agad ng trial because we still have to give time for the defense, for the prosecution,” he said.

Tulfo also raised questions on what happens if the official being impeached resigns during the proceedings and whether disqualification penalties would still apply, saying these issues must be clarified in Senate rules.

“What if the individual will resign during the trial so hindi matatapos, are we still going to pursue? Ang initial na usapan, let us just pursue, let us just continue,” he said.

The impeachment process follows the House Committee on Justice’s unanimous finding of probable cause against Duterte based on multiple complaints.

The allegations include the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds, alleged bribery using public funds, threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family, and alleged unexplained wealth.

The Committee on Justice is set to sponsor its report and the Articles of Impeachment on Monday, May 11, with at least 106 votes needed in the House of Representatives of the Philippines to transmit the case to the Senate for trial.