Senate prepares for possible VP Sara Duterte impeachment trial | Business Brief

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[00:00:00]The Senate is preparing to convene into [music] an impeachment court after the House Justice Committee found probable cause to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte. Let's get the details from Hanna T. She joins us live from the Senate. Hanna, go ahead.

[00:00:14]>> [music] >> Robert, the Senate has around 27 million pesos available for a possible impeachment trial. That's according to Senate President Pro Tempore Pia Cayetano. Out of the estimated continuing appropriations of around 26.5 million pesos, only around half a million has been spent so far since last year when the Senate convened as an impeachment court. Of that amount, about 400,000 pesos went to the production of official impeachment court robes with around 60 robes made at approximately 7,000 pesos each with the remaining costs classified as incidental expenses.

[00:00:55]If the trial does not push through this year, the remaining funds will be returned to the national treasury since these fall under continuing appropriations. On the legal side, Lacson said it's proper for the Senate to open the sealed box of tax records of Vice President Sara Duterte during the actual impeachment trial, not at the House level. Under the National Internal Revenue Code, tax records such as income tax returns can only be disclosed with written authority from the president, which must be secured first according to Lacson. As preparations continue, some senators are already getting ready for a possible trial with Lacson and Senate President Tito Sotto undergoing legal refreshers and consultations. Others like Senators Pia Cayetano is drawing from prior impeachment experience while Senator Rodante Marcoleta said preparations will depend on whether the articles are formally transmitted. The House has already declared the impeachment complaint sufficient in form and substance and once approved in plenary, it will be sent here to the Senate. Back to you, Robert. Thank you for that update, Hanna T.