On Wednesday, the Senate concluded its session without deliberating on the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte. Senate Secretary Renato Bantug received the impeachment documents at 5:49 p.m., but they were not presented to the plenary before adjournment shortly before 7:00 p.m.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III emphasized that it is the responsibility of the Senate Secretary to inform the body upon receipt of such significant documents. “The Senate Secretary should report it to the body if he receives it,” Pimentel stated in Filipino when questioned about the absence of the impeachment case in the plenary. He further clarified, “Perhaps the announcement to the body that we receive an impeachment complaint should be done during the legislative plenary.”
The Senate is scheduled to resume its sessions on June 2. However, Pimentel noted the possibility of the Senate acting on the impeachment bid against Duterte during the break. He mentioned that Senate rules could be waived if there is unanimous consent or if no member objects. “What I am saying is a very extraordinary situation. If no one will raise an issue or object or cite any violation of the rules, then it is valid,” Pimentel explained.
The House of Representatives impeached Duterte with 215 out of 306 members endorsing the verified complaint against her. The complainants cited several grounds for impeachment, including:
- Culpable violation of the Constitution
- Betrayal of public trust
- Graft and corruption
- Other high crimes
The complaint detailed allegations such as Duterte’s purported assassination plot against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., his wife Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez; her alleged misuse and malversation of confidential funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education; and her alleged failure to disclose all her properties in her statement of assets and net worth.
In December 2024, four impeachment complaints were formally filed against Duterte. The House of Representatives approved the measure on February 5, 2025, leading to the current proceedings in the Senate. Duterte became the first vice president of the Philippines to be impeached but will continue to hold office pending a final verdict by the Senate.
The political landscape remains tense as the nation awaits the Senate’s actions regarding the impeachment trial. The outcome holds significant implications for the country’s leadership and governance.