Manila, July 2 -- The new senator-judges in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte are expected to take their oath before the Senate President no earlier than July 29, as the Senate impeachment court continues preparations for "transparent, fair, and legally sound" process, its spokesperson said Wednesday.

Senate impeachment court spokesperson Regie Tongol told reporters in a press briefing that 6 of the 11 major steps in the procedural framework-about 55 percent-have been completed.

However, he said the formal oath-taking of senator-judges cannot proceed without the presence of a presiding officer, who will only be elected after the opening of the 20th Congress on July 28.

"As you know, if one Congress adjourns, another ...