Manila: Senators under Sandiganbayan custody must seek permission from the anti-graft court if they intend to attend Senate sessions or the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Senate President Win Gatchalian stated.

According to Philippines News Agency, Gatchalian emphasized that the jurisdiction over Senators Rodante Marcoleta and Jinggoy Estrada lies with the Sandiganbayan. Therefore, they are required to request authorization from the court to participate in legislative activities or the impeachment proceedings. During an ambush interview, Gatchalian clarified that the Senate will not intervene directly with the Sandiganbayan regarding the attendance of these detained senator-judges. Instead, it is up to the detained senators themselves to seek the court's permission.

Senator Joseph Victor 'JV' Ejercito also addressed concerns regarding the participation of detained senators in the impeachment trial. He highlighted the issue of whether these senators would be allowed to vote if they had not been present for the entire impeachment process. Ejercito pointed out that this raises valid points about the fairness and integrity of the proceedings, considering that voting without full participation could undermine the process.

The impeachment court is set to deliberate on these matters on September 23, where they will consider various legal arguments and perspectives, including those from legal experts and amici curiae. Ejercito stressed the importance of listening to all sides and ensuring a democratic process where every viewpoint is considered.

In preparation for the trial, Gatchalian mentioned that the Senate is considering inviting three to five amici curiae, preferably retired Supreme Court justices and other legal experts, to provide insights on constitutional and procedural issues. This initiative aims to guide the senator-judges in making informed decisions while avoiding potential misunderstandings of legal protocols.