Gatchalian: Impeach Verdict Possible By November
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said the faster pace of the trial was due to both parties’ and senator-judges’ own adjustments, the prosecution’s decision to drop multiple witnesses and the allocation of 11 full-day trial sessions.
Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial could wrap up and yield a final verdict as early as next month, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said on Sunday, Oct. 4.
Speaking to radio dzBB, Gatchalian projected a mid to late November conclusion of the trial – a shorter timeline than impeachment court spokesman Reginald Tongol’s earlier Dec. 16 estimate.
“Personally, I think, based on my analysis, we need around 30 to 45 days more,” Gatchalian said.
Gatchalian said his personal estimate is based on expectations that the prosecution would wrap up its presentation on unexplained wealth within this week or next week before moving on to the bribery charge.
Once the defense takes its turn, he expressed hope that proceedings would move more efficiently as the parties have already adjusted to the court’s pace, though he noted that he could still be wrong given the many mid-trial adjustments.
The Senate President, however, affirmed the chamber’s goal to resolve the case before the holiday break.
While initially projected to conclude either past New Year or up to Valentine’s Day, Gatchalian said the faster pace of the trial was due to both parties’ and senator-judges’ own adjustments, the prosecution’s decision to drop multiple witnesses and the allocation of 11 full-day trial sessions.
He also defended Tongol after Sen. Francis Pangilinan took issue with the spokesman’s earlier announcement that the court was eyeing a verdict by Dec. 16 despite the lack of a formal agreement among senators.
“That was the spokesperson’s estimate based on the witnesses presented and removed. It depends on the witnesses, and these 11 whole trial days are a big deal. We can finish a lot with those days. Perhaps, two or three witnesses can be presented in a day,” Gatchalian said.
While optimistic, Gatchalian still stressed several calendar hurdles in the coming weeks including a session break in late October, the start of marathon plenary debates on the proposed 2027 national budget on Nov. 9, and the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) Summit from Nov. 16 to 18.
Gatchalian added that the entire Senate complex would be placed under a strict security lockdown during the ASEAN Summit due to the expected attendance of world leaders, including US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
