SENATE President Jude U. Hofschneider on Saturday released the Senate’s official impeachment hearing guidelines for the general public and the media.
The Senate has scheduled a hearing for Tuesday, April 19, starting at 10 a.m. in the Senate chamber regarding Gov. Ralph DLG Torres’ motion to dismiss the articles of impeachment.
Hofschneider said the guidelines are pursuant to his authority under the Senate impeachment rules, adding that the goal is to accommodate the general public and media that may wish to watch the proceedings and to protect the safety of all those participating at the hearing.
Access passes will be granted to individuals to be seated in the Senate gallery and lobby.
Public seating will be available in the public gallery of the Senate chamber and the Senate lobby on a “first come, first served” basis.
Except for designated media areas, seating will not be reserved.
Once a person leaves the Senate gallery, they will be required to forfeit their pass and will only be allowed reentry if a pass is available.
All persons shall be subject to the public access guidelines for the impeachment hearing proceedings.
The guidelines include rules for admittance into the Senate gallery and lobby, seating, and conduct during any impeachment hearing proceeding.
The media access guidelines require media registration, obtaining credentials, seating, and protocols during the impeachment hearing proceeding.
“The Senate is about to address a significant matter and these public access and media guidelines are necessary to maintain order and decorum during the impeachment hearing proceedings,” Hofschneider said.
According to the Senate guidelines, the impeachment hearing proceedings will be live streamed for the public on cable TV on Channel 23 and/or Facebook at www.facebook.com/cnmilegislature
The governor was impeached by the House of Representatives on Jan. 12, 2022 by a vote of 15 to 4 with 1 abstention, on allegations of felonies of theft, corruption and neglect of duty. He has denied the charges.
At least six of the nine senators must vote to convict in order to remove the governor from office.
