SARA DUTERTE IMPEACHMENT

MANILA, Philippines – Senators are expressing varied opinions regarding the proposed August 4 date for the convening of the impeachment court to try Vice President Sara Duterte, a process that has already seen a five-month delay since her impeachment by the House of Representatives.

Reports indicate that four to six senators have informally discussed with Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero the possibility of starting the trial on August 4. According to Senator Joel Villanueva, this would allow the chamber sufficient time to address leadership decisions, committee chairperson roles, and other housekeeping concerns before the proceedings begin.

However, other senators are pushing for a swifter commencement. Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan stated on Friday that he would “seek clarification” on the proposed date, emphasizing that “in keeping with the constitutional mandate, there should be no delay in the trial proper.” He added, “The earliest possible time we can convene, the better, because the Constitution is quite clear that upon receipt of the complaint, trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed.” Similarly, Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III voiced his agreement, saying, “As long as they start it at the soonest possible time because they have delayed it considerably.”

Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson called for a more formal approach. In his statement on Friday, Lacson expressed his desire for the chamber to discuss and vote on the matter in plenary, seeking a clear justification for the proposed August 4 date. “Whatever the majority of the 24 senators will decide, we should follow — but not without manifesting or explaining our votes, if some of us would choose to,” he maintained. Lacson stressed his constitutional duty as a senator-judge, stating, “I want to hear or participate in the discussion of any major issue involved in the impeachment process before making a decision.”

Conversely, Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV indicated readiness to proceed. In a prepared statement on Friday, Aquino confirmed he had consulted legal experts and even tried on his senator-judge robe. “We are ready to fulfill our duty and responsibility as senator-judges,” he said, adding, “We will carefully examine the evidence to be presented, be discerning, and remain open-minded to the process. Follow the Constitution. The trial will proceed on August 4.”

Background of the Impeachment

Vice President Sara Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives last February on charges including culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes. These charges primarily stem from her alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds and an alleged assassination plot against former ally President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The Senate initially convened as an impeachment court on June 10 but subsequently remanded the articles of impeachment back to the House. This action sought certification that the complaint did not violate the Constitution’s “one-year bar” rule, which limits how often impeachment proceedings can be initiated, and to confirm that the 20th Congress would still pursue the process. Duterte’s allies in the Senate had argued that earlier complaints heard in the House without a vote counted as multiple impeachment hearings within a single year.

The Vice President, in her reply to the trial summons in June, called the complaint an “abuse of the impeachment process,” denying the allegations as “false” and asserting that the Senate’s decision to remand the case removed her responsibility to answer them.

The first session of the 20th Congress is set to commence on July 28, coinciding with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address. A guilty verdict in the Senate would lead to Duterte’s removal from office and a lifetime ban from Philippine politics.