Senator Risa Hontiveros stated that the 19th Congress would be negligent if the Senate failed to conduct the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Sumang-ayon ako at sumasang-ayon hanggang ngayon sa pananaw ni Senate Minority Leader Senator Koko Pimentel na ang linaw ng utos ng Constitution sa amin–‘forthwith,’ at mas klaro pa nga sa Pilipino– ‘agad’,” Hontiveros remarked during the Kapihan sa Senado forum.
Her comments followed Senate President Chiz Escudero’s announcement that the impeachment trial against VP Sara would take place in the 20th Congress, with a verdict expected in October.
“Kung ipapaubaya namin na sa 20th Congress Senate pa ang didinig sa impeachment complaint na yun, kaming mga senador ng 19th Congress would have reneged on our responsibility to do just that now,” she emphasized.
Hontiveros highlighted that the Constitution mandates them to conduct an impeachment trial without delay.
She also echoed the views of several legal experts who believe the Senate should act as an impeachment court, even during a congressional recess, since what is adjourned pertains to legislative work, not their responsibilities as senator-judges in the impeachment process.
“Pwede natin sabihin na dahil nag-adjourn yung regular sessions ng Senado, hindi ibig sabihin na hindi pwedeng umandar at ganapin ang aming tungkulin sa isang impeachment trial naman,” she concluded. (NINO ACLAN)
