Philippine Trial of VP Sara Duterte Thrown Into Doubt by Senate

The planned trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte is in doubt after the articles of impeachment were unexpectedly sent by senators back to the House of Representatives, whose prosecutors said they can’t — for now — comply with the request.

Voting 18-5 late Tuesday, senators approved the move, which will likely delay the impeachment trial against the 47-year-old vice president. Opponents argued the move is tantamount to a dismissal of the case, though Senate President Francis Escudero denied that, noting that a summons was separately issued for Duterte to appear before the impeachment court when the trial proceeds.