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Friday, Jun 06, 2025
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Philippine Senate Faces Impeachment Trial Debate for Vice President Sara Duterte
Amidst rising tensions over impeachment proceedings, Senate leaders navigate calls for transparency against political maneuvering.
In a heated exchange within the Philippine Senate, Senate President Chiz Escudero responded to accusations from Akbayan party-list Representative Perci Cendaña regarding delays in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Cendaña's remarks suggested that Escudero's hesitance to convene the Senate as an impeachment court stems from a fear of the Vice President.
He emphasized the public's demand for transparency and a trial, which Duterte herself is willing to face.
In his response, Escudero dismissed Cendaña's challenge, defending the Senate's approach to the impeachment process.
He stated, 'We are doing what is expected of us,' indicating that the criticism regarding the trial's pace reflects a divided opinion on the Vice President's situation.
Escudero highlighted that the articles of impeachment took four months to reach the Senate, questioning the expectation for urgency from the House of Representatives that failed to act sooner.
The comments came amidst a backdrop of political strife as the draft resolution seeking the 'de facto dismissal' of the impeachment complaint circulated among senators.
Authored by Senator Ronald dela Rosa, the resolution claims that because the Senate leadership scheduled the charges' reading so close to the sine die adjournment on June 13, there is insufficient time for full deliberation.
Dela Rosa expressed that the resolution was in its exploratory phase, seeking wider support before formal submission.
Escudero noted the current lack of a formally filed resolution, characterizing the unsigned draft as inconsequential until debate and voting occur in the Senate.
However, he also acknowledged that senators could act on such a resolution if it were properly filed within the limited session days left.
Senate minority leader Koko Pimentel forecasts that the Senate will not address the impeachment trial within the current Congress.
He warned the public to prepare for the possibility of no trial action before the Congress adjourns, citing potential constitutional violations if the Senate fails to fulfill its mandate to convene an impeachment court.
The timeline for trial proceedings is constrained, as Duterte would have ten calendar days to respond following the charges' reading, and the House prosecution panel would require an additional five days to reply.
Concerns have been raised regarding the implications of dismissing the impeachment proceedings without trial.
Lawmakers such as former Akbayan representative Barry Gutierrez suggest that the Senate's inaction is creating a constitutional crisis that could require the Supreme Court's intervention.
Gutierrez emphasized that a trial is imperative and should not be circumvented through procedural resolutions.
Dissenting voices in the House echoed similar sentiments, with representatives asserting that it is essential for the Senate to uphold its constitutional obligation to conduct a trial.
They criticized the potential dismissal of the impeachment complaint through a resolution, emphasizing that such actions would undermine the constitutional process required for impeachments.
As the Senate deliberates its course of action against the backdrop of these developments, the implications of the impeachment trial will shape the political landscape in the Philippines as it approaches a transition to the next Congress.
Cendaña's remarks suggested that Escudero's hesitance to convene the Senate as an impeachment court stems from a fear of the Vice President.
He emphasized the public's demand for transparency and a trial, which Duterte herself is willing to face.
In his response, Escudero dismissed Cendaña's challenge, defending the Senate's approach to the impeachment process.
He stated, 'We are doing what is expected of us,' indicating that the criticism regarding the trial's pace reflects a divided opinion on the Vice President's situation.
Escudero highlighted that the articles of impeachment took four months to reach the Senate, questioning the expectation for urgency from the House of Representatives that failed to act sooner.
The comments came amidst a backdrop of political strife as the draft resolution seeking the 'de facto dismissal' of the impeachment complaint circulated among senators.
Authored by Senator Ronald dela Rosa, the resolution claims that because the Senate leadership scheduled the charges' reading so close to the sine die adjournment on June 13, there is insufficient time for full deliberation.
Dela Rosa expressed that the resolution was in its exploratory phase, seeking wider support before formal submission.
Escudero noted the current lack of a formally filed resolution, characterizing the unsigned draft as inconsequential until debate and voting occur in the Senate.
However, he also acknowledged that senators could act on such a resolution if it were properly filed within the limited session days left.
Senate minority leader Koko Pimentel forecasts that the Senate will not address the impeachment trial within the current Congress.
He warned the public to prepare for the possibility of no trial action before the Congress adjourns, citing potential constitutional violations if the Senate fails to fulfill its mandate to convene an impeachment court.
The timeline for trial proceedings is constrained, as Duterte would have ten calendar days to respond following the charges' reading, and the House prosecution panel would require an additional five days to reply.
Concerns have been raised regarding the implications of dismissing the impeachment proceedings without trial.
Lawmakers such as former Akbayan representative Barry Gutierrez suggest that the Senate's inaction is creating a constitutional crisis that could require the Supreme Court's intervention.
Gutierrez emphasized that a trial is imperative and should not be circumvented through procedural resolutions.
Dissenting voices in the House echoed similar sentiments, with representatives asserting that it is essential for the Senate to uphold its constitutional obligation to conduct a trial.
They criticized the potential dismissal of the impeachment complaint through a resolution, emphasizing that such actions would undermine the constitutional process required for impeachments.
As the Senate deliberates its course of action against the backdrop of these developments, the implications of the impeachment trial will shape the political landscape in the Philippines as it approaches a transition to the next Congress.
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