WRAP: Senate faces long week as it finally tackles VP Sara impeachment
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WRAP: Senate faces long week as it finally tackles VP Sara impeachment
Jonathan de Santos,
ABS-CBN News
Published Jun 08, 2025 10:30 PM PHT
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Updated Jun 09, 2025 10:35 AM PHT
Employees prepare the senators' desks a few moments before the start of session at the Philippine Senate on July 22, 2019. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News
Employees prepare the senators' desks a few moments before the start of session at the Philippine Senate on July 22, 2019. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA (UPDATED) — All eyes will be on the Senate as the 19th Congress counts down the last session days before it adjourns sine die — Latin for indefinitely, but, really, never again because it will be replaced in July.
MANILA (UPDATED) — All eyes will be on the Senate as the 19th Congress counts down the last session days before it adjourns sine die — Latin for indefinitely, but, really, never again because it will be replaced in July.
The Senate enters the week facing two questions: Will it convene into an impeachment court to try Vice President Sara Duterte? And, if it does, will the trial continue in the 20th Congress?
The Senate enters the week facing two questions: Will it convene into an impeachment court to try Vice President Sara Duterte? And, if it does, will the trial continue in the 20th Congress?
The question of impeachment is down to the wire because of a four-month delay since Duterte's impeachment for, among other things, alleged misuse of confidential funds.
The question of impeachment is down to the wire because of a four-month delay since Duterte's impeachment for, among other things, alleged misuse of confidential funds.
She has denied the allegations, saying she is being targeted because of politics.
She has denied the allegations, saying she is being targeted because of politics.
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The 1987 Constitution requires that "trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed" once articles of impeachment are transmitted, but that also happened just as Congress went on break for the elections.
The 1987 Constitution requires that "trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed" once articles of impeachment are transmitted, but that also happened just as Congress went on break for the elections.
Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero in February said the impeachment court would not convene yet, citing senators' busy schedules as well as jurisprudence that "forthwith" can mean "within reasonable time, which may be a longer or shorter period, according to the circumstances of each particular case."
Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero in February said the impeachment court would not convene yet, citing senators' busy schedules as well as jurisprudence that "forthwith" can mean "within reasonable time, which may be a longer or shorter period, according to the circumstances of each particular case."
DELAYS AND DRAFT RESOLUTIONS FOR DISMISSAL
While the delayed start of the trial rankled legal experts and civil society groups, things came to a head when the reading of the articles of impeachment — this would have triggered the convening of the court — was pushed further back to June 11 because, Escudero said, of pending legislation.
While the delayed start of the trial rankled legal experts and civil society groups, things came to a head when the reading of the articles of impeachment — this would have triggered the convening of the court — was pushed further back to June 11 because, Escudero said, of pending legislation.
Days later, news leaked of draft resolutions to dismiss the impeachment case altogether, with Duterte ally Sen. Imee Marcos saying they were looking for the "most effective" way to do it.
Days later, news leaked of draft resolutions to dismiss the impeachment case altogether, with Duterte ally Sen. Imee Marcos saying they were looking for the "most effective" way to do it.
Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino meanwhile told colleagues that the impeachment case would be "functionally dismissed" if it isn't resolved by the end of the 19th Congress. He said that, as with legislation, all pending work is terminated at the end of a Congress.
Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino meanwhile told colleagues that the impeachment case would be "functionally dismissed" if it isn't resolved by the end of the 19th Congress. He said that, as with legislation, all pending work is terminated at the end of a Congress.
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"'Trial shall proceed forthwith.' Kanino po nakapaskil yung salitang 'forthwith?' Yun po ay nakadikit sa kung saan dinulog yung complaint. Yung articles of impeachment, yun po ay nakadikit sa 19th Congress. Hindi po iyon dinikit sa 20th Congress," he also said on DZMM.
"'Trial shall proceed forthwith.' Kanino po nakapaskil yung salitang 'forthwith?' Yun po ay nakadikit sa kung saan dinulog yung complaint. Yung articles of impeachment, yun po ay nakadikit sa 19th Congress. Hindi po iyon dinikit sa 20th Congress," he also said on DZMM.
(Who is bound by the word 'forthwith'? It is to whom the complaint was transmitted, the 19th Congress. It does not bind the 20th Congress)
(Who is bound by the word 'forthwith'? It is to whom the complaint was transmitted, the 19th Congress. It does not bind the 20th Congress)
Escudero's timeline had the impeachment court convening in June and continuing trial in July under the 20th Congress. Legal experts have also pointed out that impeachment is not like legislation.
Escudero's timeline had the impeachment court convening in June and continuing trial in July under the 20th Congress. Legal experts have also pointed out that impeachment is not like legislation.
“It does not fall under the rule that unfinished business lapses with the outgoing Congress because the Constitution says the opposite—that the trial must 'proceed', meaning it must continue until it is finished," former Supreme Court Associate Justice Adolf Azcuna, who wrote the part of the Constitution on impeachment, said.
“It does not fall under the rule that unfinished business lapses with the outgoing Congress because the Constitution says the opposite—that the trial must 'proceed', meaning it must continue until it is finished," former Supreme Court Associate Justice Adolf Azcuna, who wrote the part of the Constitution on impeachment, said.
SCHOOLS SPEAK OUT
Faculty members of law colleges and political science departments have released statements calling on the Senate to do its duty and proceed with trial.
Faculty members of law colleges and political science departments have released statements calling on the Senate to do its duty and proceed with trial.
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"A premature dismissal will undermine the core democratic principle of checks and balances," more than 100 faculty members of the UP College of Law said.
"A premature dismissal will undermine the core democratic principle of checks and balances," more than 100 faculty members of the UP College of Law said.
"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," officials of the Ateneo schools — in Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Naga, Manila, and Zamboanga — said.
"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," officials of the Ateneo schools — in Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Naga, Manila, and Zamboanga — said.
Adamson University, De La Salle University, the University of Santo Tomas have taken similar positions alongside a growing list of schools and institutions.
Adamson University, De La Salle University, the University of Santo Tomas have taken similar positions alongside a growing list of schools and institutions.
Atty. Vic Rodriguez, former executive secretary to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has accused the schools of being "hypocrites and fools" for, he said, being selective about corruption.
Atty. Vic Rodriguez, former executive secretary to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has accused the schools of being "hypocrites and fools" for, he said, being selective about corruption.
He said on Facebook they should instead focus on issues surrounding the 2025 national budget, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and flood control.
He said on Facebook they should instead focus on issues surrounding the 2025 national budget, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and flood control.
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Members of the Iglesia ni Cristo Church gather at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila for the National Rally for Peace on January 13, 2025. It was, they said, in support of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s position against impeachment. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
Members of the Iglesia ni Cristo Church gather at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila for the National Rally for Peace on January 13, 2025. It was, they said, in support of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s position against impeachment. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News NO STRONG SIGNAL FROM PALACE
Few senators have so far taken a position on the impeachment trial while House prosecutors saying they trust that the trial will happen and that they are preparing for it.
Few senators have so far taken a position on the impeachment trial while House prosecutors saying they trust that the trial will happen and that they are preparing for it.
The Palace has meanwhile stressed that Marcos Jr. is not interfering in the process one way or the other and that the matter is up to the Senate.
The Palace has meanwhile stressed that Marcos Jr. is not interfering in the process one way or the other and that the matter is up to the Senate.
Marcos Jr. has himself repeatedly said he is against impeachment.
Marcos Jr. has himself repeatedly said he is against impeachment.
In contrast, his predecessors had been openly hostile to then Chief Justice Renato Corona and then Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, who faced impeachment complaints during different presidencies.
In contrast, his predecessors had been openly hostile to then Chief Justice Renato Corona and then Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, who faced impeachment complaints during different presidencies.
Analysts said as early as February that the impeachment case could reach the Supreme Court — Duterte already has a petition there questioning it on procedural grounds — although Escudero has previously said the Senate could opt to ignore it because of the unique nature of an impeachment court.
Analysts said as early as February that the impeachment case could reach the Supreme Court — Duterte already has a petition there questioning it on procedural grounds — although Escudero has previously said the Senate could opt to ignore it because of the unique nature of an impeachment court.
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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 News MARCHES AND VIGILS
With the impeachment trial shrouded in uncertainty, civil society groups have promised to remind senators of their duty.
With the impeachment trial shrouded in uncertainty, civil society groups have promised to remind senators of their duty.
Election top-notcher Akbayan Party-list and the Tindig Pilipinas coalition have planned three days of protests from June 9, Monday.
Election top-notcher Akbayan Party-list and the Tindig Pilipinas coalition have planned three days of protests from June 9, Monday.
They said they will troop to the Senate on Monday and hold a People's Vigil on Tuesday.
They said they will troop to the Senate on Monday and hold a People's Vigil on Tuesday.
They will again march to the Senate compound in Pasay City on Wednesday, the last session day and when the articles of impeachment are scheduled to be read on the Senate floor.
They will again march to the Senate compound in Pasay City on Wednesday, the last session day and when the articles of impeachment are scheduled to be read on the Senate floor.
"Constitutional duty does not expire with the closing of a Congress. The call to uphold public trust does not take a vacation. Once the House transmits the Articles of Impeachment, the Senate must respond, not as politicians, but as impartial judges," Akbayan party president Rafaela David said.
"Constitutional duty does not expire with the closing of a Congress. The call to uphold public trust does not take a vacation. Once the House transmits the Articles of Impeachment, the Senate must respond, not as politicians, but as impartial judges," Akbayan party president Rafaela David said.
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Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and the Makabayan coalition will also march to the Senate on June 11, Bayan said on its social media accounts. It said parallels protests are also planned across the country.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and the Makabayan coalition will also march to the Senate on June 11, Bayan said on its social media accounts. It said parallels protests are also planned across the country.
"We condemn not just the inaction of the Senate but also the opportunistic maneuver to block the impeachment and prevent the presentation of evidence of corruption and other anomalies committed by Duterte," Bayan said Saturday. — from reporting by Anthony James Bayog, Marilyn Cahatol, RG Cruz, Agatha Gregorio and Victoria Tulad, ABS-CBN News
"We condemn not just the inaction of the Senate but also the opportunistic maneuver to block the impeachment and prevent the presentation of evidence of corruption and other anomalies committed by Duterte," Bayan said Saturday. — from reporting by Anthony James Bayog, Marilyn Cahatol, RG Cruz, Agatha Gregorio and Victoria Tulad, ABS-CBN News
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