Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian says detained senators Rodante Marcoleta and Jinggoy Estrada need the Sandiganbayan’s permission to attend Senate sessions, including the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Gatchalian explains that because the senators are currently in the Sandiganbayan’s custody, the court that has jurisdiction over them must decide what attendance or participation is allowed. He frames the matter as a legal process rather than a Senate decision. Both outlets report that Marcoleta and Estrada are detained and that their ability to join sessions would depend on seeking authorization from the court.
Across the coverage, the key difference is emphasis: one outlet highlights that the permission covers both regular Senate proceedings and the impeachment trial, while the other stresses that the issue ultimately depends on the court’s ruling. Neither outlet provides the court’s decision or any specific conditions announced for attendance.
