Senate minority moves for opening of Duterte impeachment trial
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Senate minority moves for opening of Duterte impeachment trial
MANILA — The Senate minority on Monday formally moved for the opening of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
MANILA — The Senate minority on Monday formally moved for the opening of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Sen. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel cited the growing calls from the public, especially from members of the academe, for requesting the commencement of the Senate trial of Duterte.
Sen. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel cited the growing calls from the public, especially from members of the academe, for requesting the commencement of the Senate trial of Duterte.
"Sabi ng constitution, trial by Senate shall proceed forthwith. There is no if, no unless, no when convenient," Pimentel said.
"Sabi ng constitution, trial by Senate shall proceed forthwith. There is no if, no unless, no when convenient," Pimentel said.
"Trial is the most fair course of action because the people need to know if their representatives acted properly and justly by hearing the evidence used by them in filing the impeachment case. And in the name of due process, we need to give the impeached officer the chance to defend himself or herself and clear his or hear name," he added.
"Trial is the most fair course of action because the people need to know if their representatives acted properly and justly by hearing the evidence used by them in filing the impeachment case. And in the name of due process, we need to give the impeached officer the chance to defend himself or herself and clear his or hear name," he added.
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He said any further delay in the trial "not only undermines the explicit of the constutition and our rules, it risks eroding public trust in Senate's capacity and capability to help the accountability of public officers and the rule of law."
He said any further delay in the trial "not only undermines the explicit of the constutition and our rules, it risks eroding public trust in Senate's capacity and capability to help the accountability of public officers and the rule of law."
Sen. Risa Hontiveros said the Senate's own rules "are bereft of any basis to justify the undeniable delay."
Sen. Risa Hontiveros said the Senate's own rules "are bereft of any basis to justify the undeniable delay."
"Wala pong sinabi sa Rules on Impeachment na susundin ang legislative calendar, na bawal mag impeachment trial on legislative recess, o na pag trinansmit sa last day yung articles of impeachment, ay kailangang in limbo ito, nakabitin sa ere," she said.
"Wala pong sinabi sa Rules on Impeachment na susundin ang legislative calendar, na bawal mag impeachment trial on legislative recess, o na pag trinansmit sa last day yung articles of impeachment, ay kailangang in limbo ito, nakabitin sa ere," she said.
"Hindi po tayo inipit ng Rules, hindi po natin pwede sabihin na wala tayong choice, that we were straitjacketed by what our rules on procedure provided. We had a choice every step of the way – and our choice has been to delay, to drag our feet, to hide behind what we say are legal ambiguities."
"Hindi po tayo inipit ng Rules, hindi po natin pwede sabihin na wala tayong choice, that we were straitjacketed by what our rules on procedure provided. We had a choice every step of the way – and our choice has been to delay, to drag our feet, to hide behind what we say are legal ambiguities."
"Tapos ngayon, if I might add, biglang bibilisan. An impeachment trial of all of three days. We’ve dragged our feet for several months, and then suddenly we tell the Filipino public that we are able to sift through the evidence and exact accountability from the second highest official in our land within a period of three days. What insanity is this?" she added.
"Tapos ngayon, if I might add, biglang bibilisan. An impeachment trial of all of three days. We’ve dragged our feet for several months, and then suddenly we tell the Filipino public that we are able to sift through the evidence and exact accountability from the second highest official in our land within a period of three days. What insanity is this?" she added.
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The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on February 5 for "high crimes" including corruption and an alleged assassination plot against 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 former ally and running mate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero had announced that the prosecution panel's scheduled presentation at the Senate would be moved to June 11 instead of June 2, citing the tackling of "priority legislative measures before the 19th Congress adjourns" as the reason for the postponement.
Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero had announced that the prosecution panel's scheduled presentation at the Senate would be moved to June 11 instead of June 2, citing the tackling of "priority legislative measures before the 19th Congress adjourns" as the reason for the postponement.
Hontiveros earlier in the day said the Senate minority would move to allow Escudero to take his oath as the presiding officer of the impeachment court, begin the administering of the prescribed oath to all members of the Senate as judges, and request that the articles of impeachment be formally presented before the Senate.
Hontiveros earlier in the day said the Senate minority would move to allow Escudero to take his oath as the presiding officer of the impeachment court, begin the administering of the prescribed oath to all members of the Senate as judges, and request that the articles of impeachment be formally presented before the Senate.
In a statement, Hontiveros said this was "to fulfill the Senate's duty to the Constitution and the people."
In a statement, Hontiveros said this was "to fulfill the Senate's duty to the Constitution and the people."
"Hindi naman mahirap at matagal ang panunumpa at pagbabasa ng Articles of Impeachment, di ba? Gawa na ang robes, at ready na ang session hall. Hindi iyan aabutin ng isang oras, kaya bakit natin iiwasan ang napakasimpleng opening ng impeachment trial?" she said.
"Hindi naman mahirap at matagal ang panunumpa at pagbabasa ng Articles of Impeachment, di ba? Gawa na ang robes, at ready na ang session hall. Hindi iyan aabutin ng isang oras, kaya bakit natin iiwasan ang napakasimpleng opening ng impeachment trial?" she said.
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