Some senators push for VP Sara Duterte's impeachment trial
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Some senators push for VP Sara Duterte's impeachment trial
Agatha Gregorio,
ABS-CBN News
Published Jun 07, 2025 03:46 PM PHT
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Updated Jun 07, 2025 07:48 PM PHT
Senate of the Philippines building in Pasay City. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News.
Senate of the Philippines building in Pasay City. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News. MANILA — A handful of senators are firm that the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte should push through after draft dismissal resolutions, including one initiated by Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, surfaced this week.
MANILA — A handful of senators are firm that the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte should push through after draft dismissal resolutions, including one initiated by Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, surfaced this week.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian stressed it is the Senate's constitutional duty to convene as an impeachment court once the articles of impeachment are transmitted.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian stressed it is the Senate's constitutional duty to convene as an impeachment court once the articles of impeachment are transmitted.
"It’s not a matter of our decision whether itutuloy or hindi (whether to go through with it or not). This is our constitutional duty," Gatchalian said in a DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 interview.
"It’s not a matter of our decision whether itutuloy or hindi (whether to go through with it or not). This is our constitutional duty," Gatchalian said in a DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 interview.
For Sen. Risa Hontiveros, the country would be in a "constitutional crisis" if the impeachment trial does not push through.
For Sen. Risa Hontiveros, the country would be in a "constitutional crisis" if the impeachment trial does not push through.
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She added the Senate is also obligated to finish work surrounding Duterte's impeachment, even if trial reaches the 20th Congress as the Senate's timeline projects that it will.
She added the Senate is also obligated to finish work surrounding Duterte's impeachment, even if trial reaches the 20th Congress as the Senate's timeline projects that it will.
"Kailangan namin tapusin 'yung trabahong iyon ngayong 19th Congress man o sa 20th Congress," Sen. Risa Hontiveros told DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 on June 7, Saturday.
"Kailangan namin tapusin 'yung trabahong iyon ngayong 19th Congress man o sa 20th Congress," Sen. Risa Hontiveros told DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 on June 7, Saturday.
(We have to finish the job, whether that is in the 19th Congress or in the 20th Congress)
(We have to finish the job, whether that is in the 19th Congress or in the 20th Congress)
Three draft resolutions to dismiss the impeachment articles against the vice president have reportedly been circulating for senators' review and potential support.
Three draft resolutions to dismiss the impeachment articles against the vice president have reportedly been circulating for senators' review and potential support.
The House prosecution panel will read the articles of impeachment against Duterte on June 11, the last session day for the Senate of the 19th Congress.
The House prosecution panel will read the articles of impeachment against Duterte on June 11, the last session day for the Senate of the 19th Congress.
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Among the allegations against Duterte, which she said are politically motivates, is the alleged misuse of confidential funds.
Among the allegations against Duterte, which she said are politically motivates, is the alleged misuse of confidential funds.
MASS ACTIONS NEXT WEEK
Vice President Sara Duterte addresses their family's supporters in The Hague in the Netherlands, where her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, is detained. Jofelle Tesorio, ABS-CBN News
Vice President Sara Duterte addresses their family's supporters in The Hague in the Netherlands, where her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, is detained. Jofelle Tesorio, ABS-CBN News Several groups will take to the streets on June 9 to 11 to urge senators to convene the impeachment court.
Several groups will take to the streets on June 9 to 11 to urge senators to convene the impeachment court.
Akbayan Party-list and Tindig Pilipinas have organized a series of events starting June 9, Monday, with a march from the Film Center to the gates of the Senate in Pasay.
Akbayan Party-list and Tindig Pilipinas have organized a series of events starting June 9, Monday, with a march from the Film Center to the gates of the Senate in Pasay.
About 3,000 individuals are expected to attend, said Tindig Pilipinas Co-convenor Francis "Kiko" Aquino Dee.
About 3,000 individuals are expected to attend, said Tindig Pilipinas Co-convenor Francis "Kiko" Aquino Dee.
"Marami po kaming natatanggap na questions na paano makilahok from people na unaffiliated or from other groups na hindi po natin usually nakakausap," said Dee.
"Marami po kaming natatanggap na questions na paano makilahok from people na unaffiliated or from other groups na hindi po natin usually nakakausap," said Dee.
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(We have been getting questions from unaffiliated people and from groups we don't usually interact with on how to participate)
(We have been getting questions from unaffiliated people and from groups we don't usually interact with on how to participate)
He said he had expected efforts to delay the impeachment trial but that he was shocked at moves for outright dismissal, which he called garapal, or shameless.
He said he had expected efforts to delay the impeachment trial but that he was shocked at moves for outright dismissal, which he called garapal, or shameless.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan is also planning a march to the Senate gates on June 11 as a reminder that “that the people are closely watching their last session day and continue to clamor for truth, accountability, and justice.”
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan is also planning a march to the Senate gates on June 11 as a reminder that “that the people are closely watching their last session day and continue to clamor for truth, accountability, and justice.”
In a statement, Bayan said members will join a June 10 vigil and that its chapters from areas near Metro Manila will join the June 11 march.
In a statement, Bayan said members will join a June 10 vigil and that its chapters from areas near Metro Manila will join the June 11 march.
“Bayan is one with all political forces, networks, and institutions which are also set to hold protests in the Senate,” the group said.
“Bayan is one with all political forces, networks, and institutions which are also set to hold protests in the Senate,” the group said.
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The presentation of the articles of impeachment was originally scheduled on June 2 to initiate impeachment proceedings in the upper chamber.
The presentation of the articles of impeachment was originally scheduled on June 2 to initiate impeachment proceedings in the upper chamber.
GROUPS CALL ON SENATE TO START IMPEACHMENT TRIAL
Numerous other groups and individuals have called on the Senate to start the impeachment trial immediately.
Numerous other groups and individuals have called on the Senate to start the impeachment trial immediately.
In an open letter, faculty members of the University of the Philippines College of Law expressed "grave concern" over proposals to declare the impeachment case de facto dismissed.
In an open letter, faculty members of the University of the Philippines College of Law expressed "grave concern" over proposals to declare the impeachment case de facto dismissed.
With over 100 signatories, the letter listed alleged violations of Duterte's right to a speedy disposition of her case, as well as the Senate's "constitutional duty" to "forthwith proceed" with the trial.
With over 100 signatories, the letter listed alleged violations of Duterte's right to a speedy disposition of her case, as well as the Senate's "constitutional duty" to "forthwith proceed" with the trial.
"We do respect Senate President Chiz Escudero. But he is wrong on this, in delaying the trial," Atty. Tony La Viña, one of the signatories, told ANC.
"We do respect Senate President Chiz Escudero. But he is wrong on this, in delaying the trial," Atty. Tony La Viña, one of the signatories, told ANC.
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The Philippine Political Science Association, the Ateneo Human Rights Center, and the De La Salle University Department of Political Science and Development Studies issued their own statements calling for trial to proceed.
The Philippine Political Science Association, the Ateneo Human Rights Center, and the De La Salle University Department of Political Science and Development Studies issued their own statements calling for trial to proceed.
"No public official, regardless of their popularity or political influence, is above scrutiny... An independent Senate must rise above political pressures and demonstrate its loyalty to democratic principles and the Filipino people," the PPSA wrote.
"No public official, regardless of their popularity or political influence, is above scrutiny... An independent Senate must rise above political pressures and demonstrate its loyalty to democratic principles and the Filipino people," the PPSA wrote.
Meanwhile, the DLSU Department of Political Science and Development Studies said "continued inaction not only erodes public trust in our democratic institutions but also makes a mockery of the mechanisms for accountability enshrined in our Constitution."
Meanwhile, the DLSU Department of Political Science and Development Studies said "continued inaction not only erodes public trust in our democratic institutions but also makes a mockery of the mechanisms for accountability enshrined in our Constitution."
The Ateneo Human Rights Center stressed the impeachment cannot be "functionally dismissed" as the 19th Congress ends because the Senate is a continuing body.
The Ateneo Human Rights Center stressed the impeachment cannot be "functionally dismissed" as the 19th Congress ends because the Senate is a continuing body.
"The Supreme Court has long ruled that the Senate is a continuing body that is 'not dissolved as an entity with each national election or change in the composition of its members.' The rules for unfinished business that 'unpassed bills, resolutions, and even legislative investigations are considered terminated upon the expiration of that Congress' should not apply," the statement reads.
"The Supreme Court has long ruled that the Senate is a continuing body that is 'not dissolved as an entity with each national election or change in the composition of its members.' The rules for unfinished business that 'unpassed bills, resolutions, and even legislative investigations are considered terminated upon the expiration of that Congress' should not apply," the statement reads.
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Muralist Sim Tolentino works on protest art along C.P. Garcia Avenue in Quezon City. Agatha Gregorio, ABS-CBN News
Muralist Sim Tolentino works on protest art along C.P. Garcia Avenue in Quezon City. Agatha Gregorio, ABS-CBN NewsMeanwhile, muralist Sim Tolentino used art to advocate for a public trial for the vice president as well as her conviction.
Meanwhile, muralist Sim Tolentino used art to advocate for a public trial for the vice president as well as her conviction.
Tolentino painted "Convict Sara!" UP Diliman Freedom Wall along CP Garcia Avenue in Quezon City.
Tolentino painted "Convict Sara!" UP Diliman Freedom Wall along CP Garcia Avenue in Quezon City.
"We have heard of Mary Grace Piattos and many other fake names that received huge amounts of money. All of these have yet to be explained by the vice president," Tolentino said
"We have heard of Mary Grace Piattos and many other fake names that received huge amounts of money. All of these have yet to be explained by the vice president," Tolentino said
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