Duterte impeachment: Senators to resolve issues in caucus ahead of trial

MANILA, Philippines — An all-senator caucus was held on Monday morning ahead of the first day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial in the afternoon.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian invited his colleagues to the 10 a.m. caucus to discuss “last-minute topics” regarding the trial.

Among the issues is who will preside over the proceedings.

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This is despite the role already being delegated to the Senate president under the impeachment rules.

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“We’ll make a decision,” Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri told reporters when asked whether the presiding officer would be discussed in the closed-door meeting.

Likewise, Sen. Raffy Tulfo, before entering the caucus, said: “We’ll probably vote on it.”

READ: Senate yet to name presiding officer as Duterte trial opens Monday

LIVE UPDATES: Impeachment trial of VP Sara Duterte | July 6, 2026

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In recent weeks, reports named Sen. Francis Escudero as the possible presiding officer in place of Gatchalian after the Senate majority bloc adopted an amendment to the impeachment rules allowing any senator to be elected to preside over a trial.

Aside from Gatchalian and Zubiri, those seen entering the meeting room were Senate President Pro Tempore Tito Sotto III and Senators Ping Lacson, Lito Lapid, Risa Hontiveros, Francis Pangilinan, JV Ejercito, Bam Aquino, Raffy Tulfo and Erwin Tulfo.

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Only two members of the Senate majority, Senators Joel Villanueva and Escudero, had yet to join the meeting.

Meanwhile, as of writing, no minority senators were observed joining the caucus.

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In the previous all-senator caucus on the impeachment, minority Senators Loren Legarda and Robin Padilla participated. /mcm