Julia Christine Botin

Senate debate to tackle House MR on VP Duterte impeachment

Article (news)

David Dizon

ABS-CBN News

There will be no stopping the Senate’s planned debates on the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday, August 6, despite a pending motion for reconsideration submitted by the House of Representatives to the Supreme Court.“Tuloy na tuloy po ‘yan at naghahanda po ang ating mga senator sa kanilang mga haharaping debate ng kani-kanilang mosyon at mga schools of thought na isusulong po sa floor ng plenaryo,” Atty. Regie Tongol, spokesperson of the Senate impeachment court, said in a DZMM interview.Tongol said a Senate caucus raised several legal questions about the impeachment including whether or not there is a need to convene the impeachment court or if the Senate plenary can vote on the matter after the Supreme Court had already ruled that the impeachment complaint against Duterte is unconstitutional.Another issue to be tackled in the debates is whether or not the Senate will follow the Supreme Court decision and how it will follow the same. Sen. Jinggoy Estrada earlier said <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/1/19-to-20-senators-may-vote-to-affirm-sc-ruling-on-vp-sara-impeachment-jinggoy-0939">19-20 senators</a> may vote to abide by the SC ruling. “Idi-dissolve na lang ba ‘yung impeachment court? Magkakaroon na lang ba ng resolusyon? Kailangan ba magbotohan at yang last po, kailangan ba hintayin ‘yung motion for reconsideration at naihain na ‘yun kahapon,” he said.He noted senators will tackle the content of the House of Representatives’ motion in the debate, which could lead to a deferment of the vote on the impeachment. &quot;Maaaring makita natin na hindi pa po bukas mamatay ang impeachment process,&quot; he said. Tongol noted the House has yet to submit 2 certifications requested by the Senate impeachment court before the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte can proceed. The failure of the House to comply with the Senate&#x27;s request can be considered a legal impediment in proceeding with the trial, he said.“Wala są Senado ang bola. Noong June 10, may order ang impeachment court na magbigay ng dalawang sertipikasyon ‘yung House of Representatives. Ang pag convene ng impeachment court ay nakaangkla doon sa pag comply ng House of Representatives doon sa 2 sertipikasyon na ‘yun. Isa pa lang ang natatanggap ng impeachment court,” he said.Tongol said the court asked the Lower House to submit a certification if the trial can cross from the 19th Congress to the 20th Congress. “Hindi pa natatanggap ng impeachment court ‘yun,” he said.He noted that with the end of the 19th Congress, the House of Representatives must also authorize the new set of impeachment prosecutors who must also make an appearance before the impeachment court.“Kung merong gustong magpatuloy yung pag-convene ng impeachment court, ang bola ay wala sa Senado kundi nasa House of Representatives po at kailangan po muna nilang mag-comply,” he said.Tongol urged the House to be proactive by submitting a manifestation that it has complied with the Senate’s requirements including a resolution that it wants the Upper Chamber to convene as an impeachment court.

There will be no stopping the Senate’s planned debates on the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday, August 6, despite a pending motion for reconsideration submitted by the House of Representatives to the Supreme Court.

There will be no stopping the Senate’s planned debates on the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday, August 6, despite a pending motion for reconsideration submitted by the House of Representatives to the Supreme Court.