Abbey M.

The Senate is in full preparation mode for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte set for Monday, July 6.

As part of these preparations, all senators are set to hold a caucus today.

Among the matters expected to be discussed in the meeting is the anticipated impeachment trial of the Vice President on Monday.

All senators are set to attend today's caucus. 

However, according to Senator Erwin Tulfo, there are no particular matters yet lined up for discussion in the said meeting. 

Still, since the impeachment trial is set for Monday, this will definitely be part of their agenda.

"All senators po? Yes all senators kaya mananawagan ako sa mga kasamahan ko pati sa minority pasok na ho kayo at pag-usapan natin itong impeachment on Monday para same page tayo kung anong gagawin natin kaysa mamaya dumating kayo magkakaiba tayo kailangan magkaisa tayo kung ano gagawin natin."

(All senators? Yes, all senators. So I am calling on my colleagues, including the minority, to come and let's discuss this impeachment on Monday so we're on the same page on what we will do, rather than have everyone arrive later with different positions — we need to be united on what we will do.)

The senator added that also possibly up for discussion in their meeting is who will serve as presiding officer once the trial begins next week.

Meanwhile, part of the Senate's preparations for the impeachment trial is an advisory from the Senate Secretary regarding security measures, including the temporary closure of the Diokno Boulevard northbound and southbound lanes, from Seaside Boulevard to Atang Dela Rama Street, to regular traffic on days when a trial is scheduled.

However, the said portion of Diokno Boulevard will remain open to the public every Saturday and Sunday, as well as on weekdays when there is no scheduled trial.

Still in connection with the impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte, the Senate has issued a notice to the House of Representatives, informing the lower chamber that the upper chamber is ready to proceed with the trial of VPSD on Monday at 2:00 PM. 

Aside from this, a notice was also issued to the Vice President, in which the impeachment court ordered her to appear on the said date and time, either in person or through her lawyers.

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The House prosecution panel will no longer submit a comment on the pre-trial order of the Senate Impeachment Court.

According to Atty. Benjamin Tolosa Jr., legal spokesperson of the House prosecution and also a private prosecutor, this is to avoid any possibility of delay in the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

The pre-trial order contains the matters agreed upon by the prosecution and the defense following the pre-trial conference for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. This serves as the guide for the impeachment trial itself.

He said the prosecution decided not to submit a comment anymore to avoid any possibility that it could be used to delay the trial on July 6, 2026. He added that there are no significant issues that need to be corrected in the pre-trial order.

Bicol Saro Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon, a member of the House Prosecution Panel, shares the same view.

"Well, katulad po ng binabanggit ng mga ibang mga kasama po namin sa prosecution panel, tingin ko naman po wala na pong kailangang idagdag pa dito po sa mga komento sa pretrial order lalo't higit, very important po sa amin yung pong pagsisimula na po without further delay ito pong July 6, first trial date ng impeachment po ni Vice President Sara Duterte."

(Well, as mentioned by some of our colleagues in the prosecution panel, I also believe there is nothing more to add to the comments on the pre-trial order, especially since it is very important to us that we start without further delay this July 6, the first trial date of the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.)

The congressman also confirmed that the House Prosecution Panel will comply in submitting the list of witnesses to be presented at the trial starting Monday, July 6, until July 8, 2026.

To be tackled in the first article of impeachment against the Vice President are grave threats and inciting to sedition.

"So lahat po ng witnesses relating to threats, isasalang po namin sa susunod pong linggo. Antayin na lang po natin yung mga pangalan as soon as it gets disclosed."

(So all the witnesses relating to threats, we will present next week. Let us just wait for the names as soon as it gets disclosed.)

At the July 6 impeachment trial, the lead defense counsel and lead prosecutor will each first deliver their own opening statement.

Likewise, the Impeachment Court is expected first to resolve the pending motions of the two camps.

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The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is set to begin on Monday, July 6, and the public will be able to watch every detail and argument of the proceedings live, the Senate said.

According to an advisory issued by Senate Secretary Atty. Renato Bantug Jr., the trial will be open to the public on all occasions. 

However, due to limited space, only 61 seats will be allotted per day for those who wish to watch the proceedings live.

The Senate will implement a first-come, first-served basis through the Senate Visitor Management System (VMS). 

Those interested in securing a seat must register at the official website, vms.senate.gov.ph or scan the Senate's official QR code.

Based on the advisory from the Senate Secretary, registrants only need to select their preferred date on the portal and click the "Impeachment Trial" option before providing the required information and documents.

Online registration will open at 2:00PM, one day before the scheduled trial date. 

Those approved will receive their own QR code, which will serve as their entry pass to the Senate Session Hall.

The Senate reminded the public that proper decorum, discipline, and existing rules within the building will be strictly enforced while the trial of the Vice President is ongoing.

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After the Quezon City Department of Public Order and Safety revoked the permit it had issued for a rally in EDSA today, July 2, the group of rallyists decided to move to Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila instead.

The group will no longer need to secure a permit to gather at the said location, as it is a government-designated freedom park.

As of now, the Manila City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department, or MCDRRMD, has raised its forces to red alert status to ensure immediate response to any possible incident or emergency that may occur alongside the planned protest action.

In connection with this, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso has suspended classes at all levels in schools across the city today, Thursday, July 2, to ensure order and safety for everyone in the city.

"Dinideklara na po ng pamahalaang lungsod at ng inyong lingkod na wala pong pasok ngayong July 2, 2026 sa lungsod ng Maynila. Magkayak kayo sa iba ninyong mga aralin para sa susunod na araw but for today, para na rin sa kaayusan ng lahat. So sa atin naman o sa mga kapatid sa Iglesia Ni Cristo, hangad namin ang kapayapaan ng lahat at malugod namin kayong tinatanggap dyan sa liwasang Bonifacio. Pinakikisuyo namin bilang pamahalaan, katulad ng mga bagay na ginawa nyo na dati kapag kayo naglulunsad ng…mga aktibidades na malakihan sa lungsod na mapanatili natin maayos at malinis ang lahat which I do believe that you will do. But it's just a gentle reminder to each and every one of us."

(The city government and I are declaring that there will be no classes today, July 2, 2026, in the city of Manila. Please make arrangements for your lessons on the following day, but for today, this is for the order of everyone. So for us, or for our brothers and sisters in Iglesia Ni Cristo, we wish for peace for everyone and we warmly welcome you there in Liwasang Bonifacio. We are requesting, as the city government, that just like the things you have done before whenever you hold... large-scale activities in the city, we maintain that everything stays orderly and clean, which I do believe that you will do. But it's just a gentle reminder to each and every one of us.)

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he sees no problem with the protest held in White Plains along EDSA, noting that his only concern lies elsewhere. 

According to the President, the issue is not the protest itself, but the possible entry of other personalities or groups into the rally whose sole intention would be to cause trouble.

The Chief Executive explained that authorities have received information suggesting that certain individuals or groups may attempt to infiltrate the gathering in order to incite disorder. He emphasized that this is the primary concern being monitored, rather than the protest activity itself.

Marcos stressed that the most important consideration for the government is ensuring that no one gets hurt during the demonstration, regardless of which group may be involved, whether affiliated with Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) or any other party that might attempt to cause disruption.

"Ang problema lang namin is that merong impormasyon na siyempre merong mga, mag-infiltrate, mag-agitate. Yun ang inaalala namin. Ang pinaka-importante sa amin, walang masaktan. Either taga-Iglesia o kung sino man na mapunta roon na mangulo."

(Our only concern is that there is information that of course there are those who will infiltrate, who will agitate. That is what we are worried about. The most important thing for us is that no one gets hurt. Whether from Iglesia or whoever ends up there to cause trouble.)

Meanwhile, the President also addressed and denied allegations that his administration practices selective justice, dismissing the claim directly.

"They have their opinion, I believe they're wrong."

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