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Heavy rains and flooding have been experienced across Metro Manila for several days, caused by the Southwest Monsoon.
In line with this, work in government offices has been affected, which is why the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte has also been suspended.
In total, the trial has been cancelled for three days — two days this week, and one day last week.
However, Senate Impeachment Court Spokesperson Atty. Regie Tongol explained that as of now, they do not yet see the trial as being delayed or disrupted due to bad weather.
Atty. Tongol was asked if it is possible to hold the proceedings virtually if the weather doesn’t improve in the coming days.
In response, he explained that it would still require a formal motion and a reasonable basis from both sides before an alternative method of trial could take place or be established.
“Wala po kasi sa impeachment rules natin yung virtual court hearing,” Atty. Tongol said
[“Virtual court hearing is not included in the impeachment rules.”]
“Bago ka magkaroon ng video conferencing hearing, kailangang mag-move yung either party and to give reasonable or justifiable reason kung ba't kailangan ng online or virtual hearing,” he added
[“Before you can have a video conferencing, either party needs to move and give a reasonable or justifiable reason why an online or virtual hearing is necessary.”]
He called it a logistical nightmare or a major challenge for the impeachment court if they force the trial to be held on a virtual platform.
“24 senator-judges yung kailangan naka-online din para mag-constitute ng quorum. Kailangan, at least 13 ang naka-online,” he said
[“There are 24 senator-judges who also need to be online to constitute a quorum. At least 13 need to be online.”]
“So medyo madugo-dugo po yan, plus yung House Prosecution Panel, masyadong marami rin na mga tao sila at pati yung respondents,”
[“So that’s quite difficult, plus the House Prosecution Panel, they also have too many people, as well as the respondents.”]
“So marami rin pong tao yon, in even the ah staff ng ating mga Senator-judges and the Clerk of Court po ng impeachment court. So medyo it's a logistical nightmare kung magkakaroon ng virtual hearing,”
[“So that is also a lot of people, and even the staff of our Senator-judges and the Clerk of Court of the impeachment court. So, it’s a bit of a logistical nightmare if there will be a virtual hearing.”]
Atty. Tongol clarified that the Senate Impeachment Court is not actually considering the trial to be conducted online due to lack of legal basis. However, if that is forced, the existing Senate rules, as well as the Senate Court Impeachment Rules, would first need to be amended.
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Date posted: August 20, 2026 12:51 AM