Senators wearing robes take the oath as an impeachment court at the Senate in Pasay City, the Philippines, on May 18, 2026. The Philippine Senate convened as an impeachment court on Monday to try the case against Vice President Sara Duterte, said Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano. (Str/Xinhua)

MANILA, May 18 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine Senate convened as an impeachment court on Monday to try the case against Vice President Sara Duterte, said Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.

Senator and former chief of the Philippine National Police Ronald Dela Rosa was absent from the Senate plenary session, with 23 senators in attendance.

Under the impeachment proceedings, Cayetano took his oath as the presiding officer over the court, while the remaining senators served as judges tasked with hearing the case and rendering a verdict.

Cayetano ordered that a summons be issued to Sara, directing her to file her answer within a non-extendible 10-day period from receipt of the summons, and to appear before the Senate upon notice. He added that the House prosecution panel will have five days to respond after the final filing by Sara's camp.

The House of Representatives of the Philippines on May 11 secured the required number of votes to impeach Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte. Articles of impeachment were transmitted to the Senate on May 13.

The articles of impeachment accused Sara of corruption, assassination plots, inciting sedition, and patterns of abuse, among others.

Sara, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, announced her candidacy for the 2028 Philippine presidential election in February this year. If more than two-thirds of senators vote in favor of the impeachment, she will be convicted, removed from office, and barred from holding public office for life. ■