Senate President Chiz Escudero told his fellow senators on Tuesday, December 3, to avoid public comments on the allegations detailed in the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.
In a statement, Escudero told the senators to uphold impartiality and focus on legislative priorities as the complaint moves forward in the House of Representatives.
“The filing and endorsement of an impeachment complaint in the House of Representatives marks the beginning of a process enshrined in our Constitution to ensure accountability among our highest public officials,” Escudero said.
“Any perception of bias or pre-judgment would undermine not only the integrity of the impeachment trial but also the public’s trust in the Senate as an institution,” he added.
Escudero underscored that while impeachment is a political process, it demands fairness and adherence to the Rule of Law. He called on the Senate to ensure that the proceedings do not detract from its legislative responsibilities, especially with the midterm elections in May 2025 approaching.
The Senate President also highlighted the importance of unity in sustaining economic and governance improvements, noting that the Senate must prioritize the welfare of Filipinos regardless of political noise.
Escudero assured the public that the Senate is ready to fulfill its constitutional mandate with integrity while upholding the national interest.
“May mga pangangailangan ang ating mga kababayan. Kung may impeachment man o wala, hindi ito puwedeng pabayaan,” Escudero said.
“As we navigate this critical juncture in our history, let us remain resolute in our commitment to justice, unity, and the welfare of the Filipino people,” he added.
Advocacy groups formally filed an impeachment complaint against Duterte on Monday, December 2, with Akbayan Party-list Representative Perci Cendaña endorsing the case.
The complaint accuses Duterte of culpable violations of the Constitution, graft and corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes.
As of now, the Vice President has not issued a response to the impeachment efforts against her. (TCSP)
