Daven Tamayo

Debate over Dela Rosa speech delays oath-taking for Sara Duterte impeachment trial

Article (news)

Rowegie Abanto

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xqIBDcMYKA4?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>MANILA — The oath-taking of senator-judges on Tuesday afternoon was delayed by a debate over whether or not Sen. Ronald &quot;Bato&quot; dela Rosa could deliver a speech.</p><p>When Dela Rosa was recognized by Sen. JV Ejercito to deliver a privilege speech, Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel pointed out that the swearing-in of senator judges should come first before Dela Rosa could deliver his speech.</p><p>Pimentel told Senate President Francis &quot;Chiz&quot; Escudero that the body should implement the oath-taking of the senators at 4 p.m. &quot;then we&#x27;ll give way to the privilege speech.&quot; Sen. Risa Hontiveros seconded Pimentel&#x27;s motion.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/10/bato-raises-alleged-legal-infirmities-in-sara-duterte-impeachment-1720">Bato moves to dismiss Sara Duterte impeachment case</a></div><p>&quot;It was very clear that yesterday that we agreed that before I take my oath as a member of the impeachment, I should have delivered my privilege speech,&quot; Dela Rosa responded. </p><p>&quot;That’s why I made it a precondition to my approval or to my agreement to the motions yesterday,&quot; he said.</p><p>But Pimentel said what was agreed upon was that the oath-taking of the senators would not mean the convening of the impeachment court.</p><p>Because of the impasse, Escudero briefly suspended the session. It resumed at around 4:50 p.m. </p><div><em>More details to follow.</em></div>

<p>The oath-taking of senator-judges on Tuesday afternoon was delayed by a debate over whether or not Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa could deliver a speech.</p>

The oath-taking of senator-judges on Tuesday afternoon was delayed by a debate over whether or not Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa could deliver a speech.