MANILA, Philippines — The resumption of Congress on July 27 for the president's State of the Nation Address won't conflict with the ongoing Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Rep. Rodge Gutierrez said in a media briefing on Wednesday.

Gutierrez, who's part of the prosecution panel, explained that the trial members had already been balancing their responsibilities in the House of Representatives while Congress was on recess. “As it is, even before the session, the prosecution’s time is already divided. We still have our constituents to serve. So I think it should be very, very much manageable,” he said.

Vice President Duterte is the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte. She took office in 2022 after her father left the presidency.

The Congress session is scheduled to resume on July 27 with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivering the State of the Nation Address. The event is expected to draw thousands of lawmakers, government officials, and guests.

The House of Representatives had been on recess since June 24, and members were given time to attend to their personal matters and work on pending legislation. The session will resume with several priority bills up for discussion.

In an interview, Rep. Rodge Gutierrez expressed confidence that the prosecution panel could juggle their duties as prosecutors and lawmakers without any conflicts. The panel has already been attending to their responsibilities in the House and as prosecutors while Congress was on recess.

Gutierrez pointed out that even before the session resumes, the prosecution panel’s time is already divided between their duties as prosecutors and lawmakers. The panel will have to prioritize their tasks to ensure that the trial runs smoothly and that they can attend to their legislative responsibilities as well.

The trial started on June 30 and is currently on its third day. The prosecution has started presenting its evidence against Vice President Duterte, who is facing charges of corruption and betrayal of public trust.

The Vice President has denied the allegations and has vowed to clear her name. Her lawyers have argued that the charges are baseless and are being used to discredit her.

Despite the upcoming Congress session, the prosecution panel is confident that they can manage their time effectively and ensure that the trial runs smoothly. The panel has already been working on their duties as prosecutors and lawmakers while Congress was on recess.

The trial has drawn attention from various sectors, with many calling for the Vice President to be held accountable for her actions. Others have expressed concerns about the impact of the trial on the country's politics and governance.

The Congress session is expected to be closely watched, with many lawmakers and government officials attending the event. The session will provide an opportunity for the government to outline its priorities and plans for the country's development.

Meanwhile, the trial of Vice President Duterte will continue in the Senate, with the prosecution presenting its evidence against her.

#### Senate Impeachment Trial Timeline

  • June 30: Trial started
  • July 27: Congress session resumes
  • Ongoing: Prosecution presents evidence against Vice President Duterte

#### Key Facts

  • Rep. Rodge Gutierrez said the prosecution panel can manage their time effectively without conflicts between the Congress session and the trial.
  • The trial started on June 30 and is currently on its third day.
  • The prosecution has started presenting its evidence against Vice President Duterte.
  • The Vice President has denied the allegations and has vowed to clear her name.
  • The trial has drawn attention from various sectors, with many calling for the Vice President to be held accountable for her actions.