The pre-trial for the impeachment case filed against the Vice President Sara Duterte was officially opened on June 18, 2026. Early accounts from the proceedings described that there were no fiery interactions during the session and that the process was peaceful and orderly.
As reported by several media agencies, the start of the pre-trial process was purely a procedural one, dealing only with setting up guidelines for the way in which the whole trial would be conducted. The lawyers in both teams seemed to give priority to efficiency, and there were no arguments or disagreements between either team.
The pre-trial preparations also included the aspect of scheduling and coordination as regards to how the hearings would be conducted and how the issues would be presented from then on. In lieu of deliberations about the validity of the impeachment process, both parties focused on the preliminary aspects like timing and flow of procedures for the trial.
The reports further indicated that both the prosecution and the defense worked well with each other at the conference in agreeing on the need for discipline during the proceedings. It was pointed out that this initial stage was meant to make the process of the trial more efficient.
According to statements issued by authorities, the process was “smooth” and “going well,” with no apparent signs of any disagreement or strife among the participants. This opinion was consistently echoed in different media sources and clearly indicated the fact that the pre-trial hearing was taking place in a formal, legal context.
