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Hindi personal na dumalo si Vice President Sara Duterte sa unang araw ng kanyang impeachment trial sa Senado.

Ayon sa kanyang defense team, pinili ng Pangalawang Pangulo na gampanan ang kaniyang mandato at dumalo sa planning session ng Office of the Vice President bilang paghahanda sa Super Typhoon Bavi.

The position for Senate Presiding Officer for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte has been revealed.

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero is elected as a  Presiding Officer of the Senate impeachment court for the second time. 

Escudero got the post from the 12 votes of his fellow members of the majority, while 8 objected from the minority.

Before the election, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano pointed out that “It is very clear in the constitution of the Philippines that the presiding officer is the Senate president.”

However, Sen. Gatchalian pushed for the election of the Senate presiding officer from the lineup of the present senators. Senator Ping Lacson nominated Escudero for a post, but Cayetano objected and called for a vote.

“I’m objecting that position and will call for a vote. May I explain? I think under the rules I can explain why I am asking for (a vote),” Cayetano said

“Mr. President, under the rules, I can explain why I am calling for a vote first so that I can convince them to vote for me,” he added

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian responded and emphasized that the vote can proceed without any explanation.

“No under the rules when there’s an objection the vote will proceed without any explanation and after that we will allow the gentleman from Taguig to explain his vote,” he said

He then asked the body on who favored or objected to Lacson’s motion nominating Escudero as the presiding officer.

Escudero got the majority vote and was officially seated to preside over the impeachment trial.

Watch the full livestream of the Day 1 of impeachment trial:

The Sandiganbayan has issued the warrant of arrest against Senator Rodante Marcoleta was arrested, following the plunder case filed by the Ombudsman.

On Monday, July 6, 2026, Marcoleta arrived at the Sandiganbayan Third Division, stating that he would face the law and a plunder case filed against him. He also emphasized that he will not hide amidst the ongoing matter.

“Ako ay hindi magtatago. Haharapin ko ang ang batas, ang asunto,” he said

[“I will not hide. I will face the law, the matter.”]

Following the issuance of the arrest warrant, the anti-graft court denied the motion to quash he filed earlier.

From the Sandiganbayan, Marcoleta, Defensor, and Espiritu were brought to the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP CIDG) for booking procedures.

- Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, inaresto matapos isilbi ang warrant of arrest ng Sandiganbayan sa kasong plunder

- Ebidensya laban kay VP Sara Duterte, handang iharap kahit hindi dumalo sa impeachment trial ayon sa House prosecution

- Nasa 6,000 pulis, nakabantay sa labas ng Senado para sa inaasahang mga kilos-protesta sa impeachment trial ni VP Sara Duterte

Handa ang House prosecution panel na iharap ang mga ebidensya laban kay Vice President Sara Duterte kahit hindi siya personal na dumalo sa impeachment trial.

Ayon sa mga tagapagsalita ng prosekusyon, ang hindi pagharap ng Pangalawang Pangulo sa paglilitis ay nagpapakita ng kanyang karakter.