The Senate impeachment court has begun its proceedings against Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio, with the presiding officer and senator-judges demonstrating a largely impartial demeanor during the opening week of the trial.
According to analysts, while the presiding officer, Senator Francis Joseph "Chiz" G. Escudero, has performed satisfactorily, the outcome of the trial remains unlikely to favor conviction, given the Senate's current political makeup.
Political science instructor Amr Solon S. Sison noted that the restraint shown by senator-judges does not necessarily improve the prosecution's chances of securing the 16 votes needed to convict the Vice-President.
Despite this, Sison emphasized that the current composition of the Senate does not make it impossible for the prosecution to achieve the minimum threshold required for conviction.
Political science professor Eric Daniel C. de Torres added that senators are likely weighing the political implications of their decisions ahead of the 2028 presidential election.
De Torres praised Escudero's handling of the proceedings but questioned the decision to have him preside instead of Senate President Sherwin T. Gatchalian, citing concerns over "bad optics."
The impeachment court has spent its first week hearing the fourth article of impeachment, which centers on Ms. Duterte's alleged death threats against President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., First Lady Marie Louise Araneta-Marcos, and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.
The trial resumes on July 13 with NBI Regional Director Jeremy C. Lotoc scheduled to testify, followed by Zuleika T. Lopez, Ms. Duterte's chief of staff.
