Ateneo schools, Adamson, UST join call for Senate to start Sara Duterte impeachment trial
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Ateneo schools, Adamson, UST join call for Senate to start Sara Duterte impeachment trial
ABS-CBN News
Published Jun 08, 2025 11:38 AM PHT
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Updated Jun 08, 2025 06:44 PM PHT

Vice President Sara Duterte speaks to the media at the Office of the Vice President in Mandaluyong City on December 11, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA (2nd UPDATE) — The deans of the schools and colleges of law of Ateneo de Manila University, Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan, Ateneo de Davao University, Ateneo de Zamboanga University, and Ateneo de Naga University joined Sunday the mounting pressure on the Senate to immediately hold the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
MANILA (2nd UPDATE) — The deans of the schools and colleges of law of Ateneo de Manila University, Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan, Ateneo de Davao University, Ateneo de Zamboanga University, and Ateneo de Naga University joined Sunday the mounting pressure on the Senate to immediately hold the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on February 5 for "high crimes," including corruption and an alleged assassination plot against her former ally and running mate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on February 5 for "high crimes," including corruption and an alleged assassination plot against her former ally and running mate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
In a statement, the Ateneo schools said that "accountability of public officials for their acts and omissions cannot and should not be overridden by a resort to obfuscating technicalities and political and/or self-serving maneuverings."
In a statement, the Ateneo schools said that "accountability of public officials for their acts and omissions cannot and should not be overridden by a resort to obfuscating technicalities and political and/or self-serving maneuverings."
The Ateneo schools' statement joined the growing voices from the academe, some senators, civil society groups, and political analysts urging the Senate, under the leadership of Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero, to "forthwith proceed" with the trial of Duterte.
The Ateneo schools' statement joined the growing voices from the academe, some senators, civil society groups, and political analysts urging the Senate, under the leadership of Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero, to "forthwith proceed" with the trial of Duterte.
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The pressure came after months of delay in conducting the trial and after a draft resolution — which Duterte ally Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa had admitted initiating — dismissing the impeachment case of the vice president circulated on social media.
The pressure came after months of delay in conducting the trial and after a draft resolution — which Duterte ally Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa had admitted initiating — dismissing the impeachment case of the vice president circulated on social media.
Lawmakers this week also debated whether or not the impeachment trial of Duterte could cross over to the 20th Congress.
Lawmakers this week also debated whether or not the impeachment trial of Duterte could cross over to the 20th Congress.
Escudero even said that holding the trial would be decided by the plenary.
Escudero even said that holding the trial would be decided by the plenary.
But, the Ateneo schools said the Senate is a continuing body and that its tasks as an impeachment court are separate from its legislative function.
But, the Ateneo schools said the Senate is a continuing body and that its tasks as an impeachment court are separate from its legislative function.
They added: "Once the impeachment trial commences, and beyond political colors and affiliations, we likewise urge and call on the Philippine Senate to remain impartial and non-partisan to ensure that the constitutional guarantees of due process and equal protection of the laws of the respondent are respected and safeguarded."
They added: "Once the impeachment trial commences, and beyond political colors and affiliations, we likewise urge and call on the Philippine Senate to remain impartial and non-partisan to ensure that the constitutional guarantees of due process and equal protection of the laws of the respondent are respected and safeguarded."
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The Ateneo schools said they issued the statement "in faithful response to our moral and spiritual duty" as educators.
The Ateneo schools said they issued the statement "in faithful response to our moral and spiritual duty" as educators.
They said they hope senators will also respond to their moral and constitutional duty as public servants.
They said they hope senators will also respond to their moral and constitutional duty as public servants.
ADAMSON UNIVERSITY: ‘YOU HAVE PROCRASTINATED TOO LONG’
In a separate statement, Adamson University made a similar call as it expressed “deep concern over any and all efforts to delay, obstruct, or prematurely dismiss” the impeachment case.
In a separate statement, Adamson University made a similar call as it expressed “deep concern over any and all efforts to delay, obstruct, or prematurely dismiss” the impeachment case.
It said that the Constitution “does not imply that the Senate has discretionary powers” on holding trial or on delaying it.
It said that the Constitution “does not imply that the Senate has discretionary powers” on holding trial or on delaying it.
The university also reminded senators that “this is not the time for neutrality or passive observation; this is the time for principled leadership and decisive action” as it called for trial to commence.
The university also reminded senators that “this is not the time for neutrality or passive observation; this is the time for principled leadership and decisive action” as it called for trial to commence.
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“You have procrastinated too long.”
“You have procrastinated too long.”
Meanwhile, in a social media post, the University of Santo Tomas also issued a call to the Senate regarding the impeachment trial.
Meanwhile, in a social media post, the University of Santo Tomas also issued a call to the Senate regarding the impeachment trial.
"Respect the Constitution. Fulfill the duty. Forthwith proceed," the university said, ending the brief post with "Veritas."
"Respect the Constitution. Fulfill the duty. Forthwith proceed," the university said, ending the brief post with "Veritas."
The faculty of the University of the Philippines College of Law and political science professors of the De La Salle University have earlier called on the Senate to begin the impeachment trial of the vice president.
The faculty of the University of the Philippines College of Law and political science professors of the De La Salle University have earlier called on the Senate to begin the impeachment trial of the vice president.
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