Did You Know You Can Attend VP Sara Duterte’s Impeachment Trial in Person?

(SPOT.ph) Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial is starting today, July 6. It may sound like the kind of thing you only watch through livestreams, but did you know ordinary citizens can actually sit in and watch the proceedings from inside the Senate?

Yes, the trial is open to the public—but don’t just expect to walk into the Senate on a whim. It’s only open to a very limited number of people per hearing day. According to Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr., the Senate Session Hall has 151 spectator seats: 45 for guests of the prosecution, 45 for guests of the defense, and 61 for members of the general public.

That means if you want to attend, you need to secure a slot.

Also read: Sara Duterte Is Impeached by the House—What Happens Next?

First things first: Slots open at 2 p.m. the day before each scheduled hearing, so make sure that you’re ready before then if you want to secure a seat. Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis.

To register, go to the Senate Visitor Management System. You'll see a calendar where you can choose the hearing date you want to attend. Select “Impeachment Trial” as the event, then fill out the required visitor information. The system may also ask you to upload documents, so prepare a clear copy of your valid government-issued ID before the registration window opens.

If you manage to secure a slot, save the QR code because that will serve as your entry pass to the Senate Session Hall. Don't forget to bring a valid ID on the day.

If you're wondering why the public can watch at all, we can credit that public access to the Senate. While the Constitution gives the Senate the power to host impeachment proceedings, it is the Senate Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trials that state the Senate's doors should be open to the public during this process.

The same resolution also noted that there are strict rules to follow.

“Everyone is expected to maintain proper decorum at all times and comply with all rules and regulations while inside the Senate premises,” Bantug said in a memo. This means visitors must observe silence at all times or risk being removed from the trial venue. Remember, you’re there as a spectator in a constitutional proceeding, so no funny business.

Before President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27, the impeachment trial is scheduled every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 2 p.m. After the SONA, the schedule shifts to Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with proceedings starting at 3 p.m. The trial is held at the Senate Session Hall in Pasay City.

Earlier, the Senate impeachment court approved a total of 92 trial days: 62 for the prosecution panel and 30 for Duterte’s defense team.

As always with major political proceedings, schedules may still change depending on motions, delays, or decisions of the impeachment court, so make sure to check your schedule in the Visitor Management System before you head out.

The charges against Duterte include allegations involving confidential funds, unexplained wealth and SALN disclosures, alleged bribery involving Department of Education (DepEd) officials, and an alleged plot to assassinate the President, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Duterte has denied the allegations.

PSA: attending the trial does not automatically mean you’ll see Duterte in person. The impeachment court issued a notice directing her to appear at the trial on July 6, either personally or through counsel, but Bantug has said she is not required to attend the proceedings in person.

“Sa ngayon, wala pang pasabi ang mga defense counsel kung dadalo ang ating Bise Presidente bukas,” Bantug said. “Sa rules ng ating impeachment trial, hindi obligado ang ating Pangalawang Pangulo na pumunta sa impeachment trial.”

Also read: Sara Duterte Will Run for President in 2028