In a significant turn of events, the Senate voted 18-5-0 on Tuesday to approve a motion filed by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, directing the return of the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the House of Representatives.
Senator Cayetano’s motion amended an earlier proposal from Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, which sought to dismiss the impeachment complaint outright. Instead, Cayetano emphasized the need for proper constitutional procedure, requiring the House of Representatives to submit a certification affirming that it did not violate the Constitution in transmitting the articles.
Additionally, Cayetano’s motion called for official communication from the 20th Congress stating that it intends to proceed with the impeachment proceedings. He stressed the importance of ensuring procedural integrity and clarity on the House’s commitment to pursue the case further.
The impeachment complaint against Vice President Duterte, filed by opposition lawmakers earlier this year, has sparked intense political debate. Allegations against her reportedly include abuse of power and violations of key constitutional provisions.
The Senate’s decision to return the articles rather than dismiss them outright is seen as a compromise move, allowing due process while avoiding the appearance of premature judgment. It also places the next move firmly in the hands of the House leadership, which must now act to validate the impeachment process.
As the political landscape continues to shift, all eyes will be on the House of Representatives in the coming days to see whether it will uphold or abandon the impeachment effort.