Kimberly Capuyan

The University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law has released local translations of its impeachment primer and frequently asked questions (FAQs) in hopes of keeping the general public informed amid Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment case.

Photo Courtesy of GMA Network/UP College of Law.

The Filipino, Cebuano, and Ilocano translations were prepared by students and alumni of UP Law and funded by the Justice George A. Malcolm Memorial Foundation.

Lead authors include Assistant Professor Paolo Tamase and UP Law students Jan Aurel Nikolai Castro, J.D. 2025 (expected); Jillian Rae R. Chua, J.D. 2026 (expected); Enrique Julian Espino, J.D. 2026 (expected); and Roberto Daniel Mercado, J.D. 2026 (expected).

UP Law first released the primer in English on February 14, 2025, following the impeachment of Duterte by the House of Representatives on February 5.

“This document was prepared to provide the media, the public, and officials with basic information on impeachment proceedings,” the primer read.

The primer included an overview of the impeachment process, initiation, trial proceedings, and judicial intervention. 

It also answered novel and miscellaneous questions about the impeachment of a vice president in the Philippines.

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on February 27 released his proposed timetable for the impeachment trial of Duterte, setting the tentative start of the trial for July 30.

The House of Representatives previously impeached Duterte over alleged culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, and misuse of confidential funds of the Department of Education (DepEd).

A total of 215 out of 306 lawmakers backed the fourth impeachment complaint against Duterte.

The primer and FAQs regarding the impeachment process can be accessed on the UP Law website.