Senator Rodante Marcoleta asks the Senate impeachment “court” to make arrangements so he and fellow lawmaker Senator Jinggoy Estrada can participate in the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Marcoleta says their attendance is part of their mandate as senators and says he has already filed a manifestation in the Senate outlining the legal basis for allowing such participation.
Both outlets report that Marcoleta and Estrada are members of the minority bloc perceived as aligned with Duterte and are currently detained while facing plunder cases before the Sandiganbayan. Marcoleta made his call in an ambush interview at the anti-graft court, where he attended proceedings. His request centers on finding “proper ways” for detained senators to take part in impeachment proceedings, reflecting concerns about access to the process and representation in the trial.
The reports do not state what specific mechanisms the Senate impeachment court will adopt or whether any decision has been reached.
