Senators agree on adjusted work schedule for impeachment trial, budget hearings

SENATE PRESIDENT. Senate President Win Gatchalian opens the second regular session of the 20th congress on July 27, 2026. Angie de Silva/Rappler Senators will work 'double time' to end the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte before the end of the year while allotting enough time for deliberations on the proposed 2027 budget Senators in the Philippines have adjusted their work schedule to accommodate deliberations on the proposed 2027 budget while completing the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte before the end of the year. Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri announced that the Senate will conduct concurrent budget hearings and plenary sessions. This is AI-generated. Read the article for full context. Report any errors. MANILA, Philippines – Senators have agreed on adjustments in their work schedule to help them deliberate on the proposed 2027 budget while finishing the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte before the end of the year. Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri said on Thursday, September 3, that senators agreed on these steps during a caucus on Wednesday, where they finalized the impeachment trial schedule. They also agreed to suspend the Senate rules and allow the finance committee to hold budget hearings concurrent to the plenary session. The Senate will conduct a trial run for the concurrent budget hearings and plenary sessions next week. Based on their consensus, Zubiri also said the final calendar for the impeachment trial will be as follows: September 7 to 9 10 am to 3 pm: Impeachment trial 3 pm onwards: Plenary sessions, budget hearings, and committee hearings for the legislative agenda September 10 to 11 Budget hearings September 14 10 am to 3 pm: Impeachment trial 3 pm onwards: Plenary sessions, budget hearings, and committee hearings for the legislative agenda September 17 to 29 (except weekends) Budget hearings September 30 Suspension of sessions October 1 to 15 (except weekends) 10 am onwards October 19 to 23 Budget hearings The senators held the caucus on the same day that Zubiri raised the need for senators to agree on a work schedule adjustments that would allow them to allot time for budget deliberations alongside the impeachment trial and their normal work. Zubiri made a manifestation at the end of the impeachment trial on Wednesday, where he had also made the viral remark about the 12-hour workday of senators since the trial began, as sessions were being held after the trial ends in the afternoon. “Sa totoo lang, Mr. President, pagod na pagod na ako. Twelve hours per day po tayo na nandito. From 9-9 nandito tayo,” he said, a remark that drew backlash online, with some netizens saying they, too, were tired from the grueling and low-wage realities faced by ordinary Filipino workers. (Truth be told, Mr. President, I am very tired. We’re here 12 hours per day, from 9 am to 9 pm.) In response to criticism of his remark, Zubiri told reporters that he was just being “candid” and “honest.” “Binanggit ko lang ang aking present condition at that time kasi napakahirap i-juggle ng tatlong napakalahagaang activities in Senate. It’s the first time na nangyari na nagkaroon ng impeachment, budget hearings, at legislative agenda,” he added. (I just described my present condition at that time because it’s so difficult to juggle three important activities at the Senate. It’s the first time that we were holding the impeachment, budget hearings, and hearings for the legislative agenda simultaneously.) The Senate is currently handling three major tasks: deliberations on the proposed P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027, the ongoing impeachment trial of Duterte, and the passage of its legislative agenda. – Rappler.com How does this make you feel? Loading