MANILA – A member of the House prosecution panel in the impeachment case of Vice President Sara Duterte expressed confidence that recent tensions inside the Senate will not affect the upcoming impeachment proceedings.

“Inaasahan natin na hindi magbabago ang kanilang pagtingin at hindi maapektuhan ang proseso… Ito ay kanilang constitutional mandate,” Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua said in an interview over Super Radyo dzBB.

“(We are expecting that their views would not change and the process would not be affected… This is their constitutional mandate.)”

In a report, it said that Chua also expressed hope that Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, as a lawyer, would uphold constitutional processes in handling the impeachment trial.

“Inaasahan naman din natin na ang ating bagong Senate president, bilang isang abogado ay mataas ang kanyang paggalang sa ating Konstitusyon,” he added.

The Senate earlier said it may convene as an impeachment court on Monday, May 18, or “at the possible soonest time” following the receipt of the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte.

“The Secretariat has been directed to include the Articles of Impeachment in the calendar for ordinary business for referral to the impeachment court, which shall be convened on May 18, 2026, 3 p.m. or at the possible soonest time absent any question to the rules and procedure related to the transmitted Articles,” Cayetano wrote in a letter to House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy.

House prosecution panel members said they are preparing to physically attend the scheduled convening of the Senate impeachment court, including 11 members of the team.

Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said the prosecution panel will be present during the opening of the impeachment court on Monday.

Chua said the panel will hold a meeting at 10 a.m. Monday to finalize preparations and attendance at the Senate.

“Kami sa ngayon ay naghati-hati ng articles kung saan kami mag-a-appear at magdedepensa… Nasa proseso kami ng pagbe-vetting ng mga private prosecutor na tutulong sa amin,” he said.

“(For now, we divided the articles for which we will enter an appearance and defend… We are in the process of vetting the private prosecutors who will assist us.)”

“Pinag-uusapan din namin ang mga possible na legal obstacles na puwede naming kaharapin,” he added.

“(We are also discussing the possible legal obstacles that we might face.)”

The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on Monday, May 11, on allegations including culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, bribery, and other high crimes.

The Articles of Impeachment reached the Senate amid heightened tensions in the chamber following a shooting incident and temporary lockdown.

When asked about the impeachment, Duterte previously said: “Wala akong feelings about the impeachment (I have no feelings about the impeachment).”