Duterte Impeachment Trial: Will it Continue After Congress Ends?

The Philippines is currently facing a critical legal question regarding the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. With the 19th Congress ending in June 2025, there's uncertainty about the future of the proceedings. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri has indicated that the trial is likely to begin in July, after President Marcos' SONA. However, legal experts raise concerns about the potential expiration of the articles of impeachment. UP College of Law Associate Professor Gwen De Vera highlights three possible scenarios: the trial continuing into the 20th Congress, the next Senate deciding whether to resume the 19th Congress's work or start anew, or the Senate abandoning the trial altogether. This uncertainty underscores the complexities of the Philippine legal system and the political implications of this high-profile case. The Supreme Court's past ruling in a similar case, where they rejected a petition to halt the House's canvassing of votes, provides some precedent but doesn't entirely resolve the current situation. The situation remains fluid, and its resolution will significantly impact the political landscape of the country.