Manila, June 9 -- The Senate minority bloc announced on Monday that it will formally move to convene the Senate as an impeachment court before the 19th Congress adjourns, saying the chamber must fulfill its constitutional duty amid continued delays in the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

In a press briefing, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros said she and Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III will initiate the formal opening rites of the impeachment trial on the Senate floor later this afternoon.

"We in the Senate Minority will formally move to commence the opening rites in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. We will move to allow Senate President Francis Escudero to take his oath as presi...