Philippine senators have set themselves as an impeachment court for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte over corruption and other criminal allegations but they voted to send the raft of complaints back to the House of Representatives due to legal questions.

Senator-judges who openly show support for Vice President Sara Duterte should observe neutrality, as the Senate has already convened as an impeachment court, a Palace official said on Friday. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the call in response to House prosecution member and Manila Representative Joel Chua’s concern over some senator-judges’ backing of Duterte,