Outgoing Senator Nancy Binay described her non-involvement in the upcoming impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte as a “blessing in disguise.”
Binay, whose term as senator ends this year, recently secured a new mandate as mayor of Makati City following the 2025 midterm elections.
In a press briefing, Binay expressed relief that she would not serve as a senator-judge in the impeachment process, calling it “very divisive.”
The impeachment trial is expected to begin in July or upon the start of the 20th Congress, with the articles of impeachment set to be presented by House prosecutors on June 2, alongside the approval of revised trial rules.
On June 3, the Senate will convene as an impeachment court, while on June 4, incumbent senators will be sworn in as judges for the trial.
Binay stated that her only remaining role would be to approve the rules to be used during the Senate proceedings.
When asked about Vice President Duterte’s chances of acquittal, Binay noted that vote counting will play a major role, especially as several Duterte allies secured Senate seats in the recent election.
Earlier, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero informed House Speaker Martin Romualdez that the Senate is ready to receive the House’s prosecution panel for the reading of the impeachment charges on June 2.
Escudero confirmed that the Senate would convene as an impeachment court the following day, June 3, to issue summons related to the trial.
Vice President Sara Duterte is facing accusations of bribery, corruption, constitutional violations, and misuse of confidential funds during her leadership of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education from 2022 to 2024.