Gatchalian Confirms He Will Preside Over VP Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial

In a recent ANC 24/7 report, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian confirmed he will preside over the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte as Senate President Pro Tempore. The Senate chamber in Manila prepares for proceedings that directly touch the daily lives of families across barangays from Quezon City to Davao City.

Gatchalian spoke this week during a press conference covered by ANC 24/7, stating his role under Senate rules. The confirmation arrives after the House of Representatives impeached Duterte on May 11 with a 257-25 vote, sending the case to the Senate for judgment.

Filipino communities watch closely because the outcome will shape how public officials answer for actions that affect OFW remittances, local infrastructure projects, and basic services funded through the national budget.

Gatchalian Confirms He Will Preside Over VP Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial

Manila, Philippines — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian confirmed in a press conference this week that he will preside over the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, marking a critical turning point in a case that has gripped the nation since the House of Representatives delivered its historic impeachment vote last month.

The Confirmation

During the press conference, Gatchalian said, "Under the rules, since ang Senate President Pro Tempore ay assumes the acting Senate President, tayo ang magpe-preside ng impeachment." He spoke plainly about the procedural duty that falls to him after his election on June 3, 2026, when the Senate reconvened.

Gatchalian also confirmed that 16 votes, or two-thirds of the Senate, are required to convict Vice President Duterte. Only the Senate holds the power to deliver that conviction under the Constitution.

The senator noted he will consult the Clerk of Court on exact procedures before the trial resumes in the coming weeks. This step ensures the process follows established Senate protocols rather than ad hoc arrangements.

The Impeachment Case

The House of Representatives delivered the Articles of Impeachment on charges that include culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, bribery, and other high crimes. The 257-25 vote on May 11 marked the formal start of Senate proceedings.

Vice President Duterte's legal team filed an answer that described the Articles of Impeachment as "constitutionally infirm, procedurally defective, and substantively deficient." The response challenges both the substance of the accusations and the manner in which the House advanced the case.

The House prosecution panel has lined up more than 30 witnesses ready to testify once the trial moves forward. These witnesses come from various government agencies and will address specific allegations tied to public funds and official conduct.

Senate Dynamics and Leadership

Gatchalian was elected Senate President Pro Tempore on June 3, 2026, after the Senate reconvened following earlier leadership changes. The impeachment court had originally convened on May 18 under former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.

Gatchalian stated that senator-judges will need to retake their oath under the new presiding officer. Senator Camille Villar, the youngest senator, had previously administered the oath to Cayetano as judge during the initial convening.

These leadership shifts inside the Senate building in Pasay City affect how the trial will be managed, including scheduling and evidentiary rules that will govern testimony from the more than 30 witnesses.

What's at Stake

Sixteen votes remain the clear threshold for conviction, a number Gatchalian repeated during the press conference. The Senate alone decides whether the charges rise to the level that removes Vice President Duterte from office.

The political implications reach beyond the Senate floor into provincial capitols and city halls where local officials align with national figures. A conviction or acquittal will influence alliances ahead of future elections and budget deliberations in Congress.

Observers in Cebu and Baguio note that the trial's conduct will test whether the two-thirds requirement protects the stability of the executive branch or allows accountability when evidence of wrongdoing surfaces.

Impact on Ordinary Filipinos

Ordinary families in sari-sari stores and jeepney terminals across Metro Manila discuss how the trial could affect public trust in institutions that deliver health services through the Department of Health and education programs through DepEd. When high officials face impeachment, communities question whether resources reach their intended barangay projects.

OFWs sending remittances home worry that prolonged political proceedings may distract lawmakers from passing measures that protect migrant workers and stabilize the peso. The Senate trial therefore carries direct economic weight for households that rely on steady income from abroad.

The rule of law principle at the center of the case matters to farmers in Mindanao and students in public universities who expect consistent application of constitutional standards regardless of political connections.

What to Watch For

The trial is expected to resume in the coming weeks, with the Senate preparing for full proceedings that will include testimony from more than 30 witnesses. Gatchalian indicated he will coordinate with the Clerk of Court to set the schedule and oath-taking requirements.

Legal maneuvering from both the House prosecution panel and Duterte's defense team will likely focus on procedural objections raised in the answer filed by the Vice President's lawyers. These arguments could delay witness presentations or shape the scope of evidence admitted.

Senators will also weigh how their individual votes align with constituent expectations in their home districts, from the urban voters of Quezon City to the rural communities in the Visayas. The final tally of 16 votes will determine whether the impeachment ends in conviction or acquittal.

By Bella Reyes, Staff Writer