The Senate convened on Tuesday as an impeachment court for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, a day earlier than the initial schedule proposed, June 11.

Senate President Francis Escudero moved to convene the impeachment court moments before the senator-judges were sworn in.

Before that, Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, in his privilege speech, moved to dismiss the proceedings, alleging that the impeachment articles transmitted to the Senate by the House of Representatives were constitutionally unsound, citing arguments presented by Vice President Sara Duterte in the petition she filed to the Supreme Court.

Senator Joel Villanueva had opposed Dela Rosa’s motion, arguing that the Senate as a legislative body cannot act on impeachment-related motions.

Senators Bong Go and Robin Padilla supported Dela Rosa’s move.

As Escudero suspended the session, Padilla appeared to confront Villanueva twice but Dela Rosa pulled Padilla away two times.

Escudero ruled that for the Senate to act on the motion to dismiss the trial, it must first convene as an impeachment court.

The oathtaking of senator-judges came after the Senate minority block, composed of Senators Aquilino Pimentel III and Risa Hontiveros, moved on Monday to have the upper chamber convened as an impeachment court for the trial of Vice President Duterte.

Duterte is facing impeachment trial in the Senate following the House of Representatives 215 of 306 members move to impeach her on February 5 due to alleged culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, and other high crimes. Velle White/DMS