MANILA – A House prosecutor said the long-delayed impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte now appears set to proceed, with the Senate scheduled to convene as an impeachment court on May 18, as announced by newly elected Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.

Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua welcomed the development, saying it signals that the impeachment process will now move forward “forthwith,” as required under the 1987 Constitution.

“There appears to be consensus among the new Senate majority that the impeachment trial should finally proceed. That is welcome news to us in the House Prosecution Team,” Chua said.

“We simply want a fair opportunity to present the Articles of Impeachment, prosecute the case, and allow the evidence to be appreciated by the Impeachment Court.”

The House of Representatives recently transmitted the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate after 257 lawmakers voted to impeach Duterte for the second time.

The charges include alleged misuse of PHP612.5 million in confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and threats against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.

“With the Senate expected to convene as an Impeachment Court on May 18, we are preparing accordingly and are ready to fulfill our constitutional duty as prosecutors,” Chua said.

He added that the Senate trial would give both the prosecution and Duterte’s camp the opportunity to present their evidence before senator-judges.

“We believe the senator-judges likewise want the opportunity to hear the side of the twice-impeached Vice President Duterte and to examine the evidence that the House Prosecution Team will present before the Impeachment Court,” he said.

Chua also said recent developments before the Supreme Court do not indicate any imminent intervention that would stop the proceedings.

“We also note that the Supreme Court has not been inclined to issue TROs (temporary restraining orders) in recent related matters. That gives us confidence that the constitutional process is being allowed to move forward,” Chua said.

He said the House prosecution panel is now preparing motions, witnesses, documentary evidence, and counter-arguments ahead of the Senate trial.

“We shall proceed one day at a time, one step at a time,” Chua said, adding that the team will also coordinate with private prosecutors and experts in constitutional law, auditing, financial forensics, corporate law, and finance.