Daven Tamayo

'Convict or acquit': Pangilinan says dismissing VP Sara impeachment case not an option for Senate

Article (news)

Marilyn Cahatol

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17492776672641749277666210.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Senatorial canddiate Francis &quot;Kiko&quot; Pangilinan on February 15, 2025, courted voters in Muñoz Market as vowed on measures to pull down high food prices. <em>Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Senator-elect Francis &quot;Kiko&quot; Pangilinan on Saturday, June 7, said the Constitution does not allow the Senate to dismiss the impeachment case of Vice President Sara Duterte, adding the case must go to trial.</p><p>&quot;Acquittal o conviction lang ang maaring pagpipilian na pasya ng mga senador bilang mga hukom. Kung walang sapat na ebidensya sa Trial, dapat acquittal. Conviction naman kung sapat ang ebidensya,&quot; he said on X (formerly Twitter) post.</p><p>(Senators, as judges, may only choose between acquittal or conviction. If the evidence is inadequate, it should be an acquittal. Convict her if there is sufficient evidence.)</p><p>The statement came after the news that several draft resolution, including one initiated by Sen. Ronald &quot;Bato&quot; Dela Rosa, are seeking to dismiss the impeachment case for lack of time.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/4/dela-rosa-admits-initiating-resolution-on-dropping-sara-duterte-impeachment-trial-1734">Dela Rosa admits initiating resolution on dropping Sara Duterte impeachment trial</a></div><p>Pangilinan, who will return to the Senate when the 20th Congress convenes in July, underscored that the Constitution mandates that, upon receiving the impeachment complaint from the House, the Senate must immediately convene an impeachment court.</p><p>The lower chamber impeached Duterte in February, but the Senate said it could not act on the articles of impeachment while Congress was on break.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/5/house-impeaches-vp-sara-duterte-1551">House impeaches VP Sara Duterte</a></div><p>The Senate is scheduled to read the articles of impeachment on June 11, the last session day before the 19th Congress adjourns on June 13. </p><p>This was originally scheduled on June 2, but was moved as per Senate President Francis &quot;Chiz&quot; Escudero&#x27;s decision. </p><p>Multiple lawmakers and civil society organizations have expressed concern over the &quot;deliberate&quot; delay of the trial, arguing the impeachment court is &quot;sui generis,&quot; thus should cross over to the 20th Congress. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/5/up-law-faculty-calls-on-senate-to-begin-sara-duterte-trial-1227">UP Law faculty urgently calls on Senate to begin Sara Duterte impeachment trial</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/6/dlsu-polsci-profs-delay-in-impeachment-trial-weakens-public-trust-1622">DLSU PolSci profs: Delay in impeachment trial weakens public trust</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/6/chel-lacson-agree-duterte-impeachment-trial-should-cross-over-20th-congress-1142">Chel, Lacson agree Duterte impeachment trial should cross over 20th Congress</a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IILEe9aWMv8?si=fY9ZypWWe7okn8Gc" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>Senator-elect Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan on Saturday, June 7, said the Constitution does not allow the Senate to dismiss the impeachment case of Vice President Sara Duterte, adding the case must go to trial.</p>

Senator-elect Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan on Saturday, June 7, said the Constitution does not allow the Senate to dismiss the impeachment case of Vice President Sara Duterte, adding the case must go to trial.