Vice President Sara Duterte holds a press conference with the media at the Office of the Vice President in Mandaluyong City on February 7, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News 

MANILA — The Akbayan Party and other civil society groups are set to conduct a three-day protest action from June 9 to June 11, urging the Senate to immediately start the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. 

“Pupunta tayo sa Senado  para iparinig sa ating senators na ang mamamayan ay klaro ang mensahe na dapat sundin ng Senado ang konstitusyon,” said Rafaela David, President of Akbayan Party. 

(We will march to the Senate to assert the public’s clear message that the senators should follow the Constitution.)

The 1987 Constitution requires that "trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed" once articles of impeachment are transmitted, but that happened just as Congress went on break for the elections.

The articles of impeachment were originally scheduled to be read in the Senate on June 2, but this was moved by Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero to June 11, the last session of the 19th Congress.

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“Klaro na ang bibliya ng ating bansa ay 'yung ating Saligang Batas at dini-disrespect ito ng Senate by not doing their constitutional duty,” David said.

(It is clear that the Constitution is the country’s bible, and the Senate is disrespecting it by not doing its constitutional duty.) 

He said the impeachment trial goes beyond the legislative functions of the Senate and should be allowed to cross over to the 20th Congress, should the 19th Congress fail to come up with a decision before it adjourns.

“Klaro na dapat tuloy-tuloy siya kasi the call for justice should not end in Congress,” said David. 

(It is clear that the trial should continue because the call for justice should not end in Congress.)

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Outgoing Senator Francis Tolentino, who is among the senators against the trial continuing to the next Congress, proposed a timeline wherein the impeachment court convenes on June 11 and decides on June 30. 

Reports last week said that several draft resolutions were seeking the dismissal of the impeachment complaint. 

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Escudero said the Senate, as a plenary, would have to vote on whether or not to convene an impeachment court. 

The protest against the impeachment trial delay started with a program at the Manila Film Center around 9:30 a.m. on Monday, before groups marched to the Senate building. 

Various civil society groups and political formations, including Tindig Pilipinas, ML party-list, and trade unions will participate. 

“Panahon na para making sila sa tinig ng mamamayan at magpakita ng lakas ng loob. Tama na ang palusot. Sundin ang konstitusyon,” Akbayan said in a statement.

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David encouraged the public to join the protest action.

“Hindi dapat natin papayagan 'yung mga lider na nakakatakas sa kanilang obligasyon,” he said. 

(We should not let the leaders get away from their obligations.) 

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