Manila: Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III on Tuesday countered Senate President Francis Escudero's assertion that the Senate impeachment court operates without constraints regarding its decisions and the motions senators can propose, emphasizing that the constitutional oath of impartiality strictly governs every senator-judge.

According to Philippines News Agency, Pimentel highlighted the importance of the oath taken by senators during a briefing at the Senate, noting, "Merong limitations. Di ba nag-oath kami (There are limitations. Didn't we take an oath)?" This remark was in direct response to Escudero's previous statement, which claimed that neither the impeachment rules nor the Rules of Court prevent Senator Ronald dela Rosa from submitting a contentious motion. This motion did not dismiss the case against Vice President Sara Duterte but instead returned the articles of impeachment to the House.

Pimentel expressed concern that such legal strategies might jeopardize the integrity of the impeachment process. He suggested that a more appropriate action would have been for the impeachment court to send an advisory to the House panel, specifying the questions it wanted addressed in the prosecutors' reply to Duterte's defense, thereby avoiding procedural complications.

While acknowledging that impeachment involves both legal and political aspects, Pimentel reminded his colleagues of their obligation to adhere to constitutional principles. He urged the House of Representatives, which initiated the impeachment complaint, to follow the Senate's directives.

In a related development, Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros called on Vice President Duterte to respond to the summons from the Senate impeachment court, emphasizing that this would be a constructive way for her to begin presenting her defense. Hontiveros stated, "Hinihintay nating lahat ang kanyang magiging tugon dito, at sa mga susunod na proseso kaugnay ng impeachment trial (We are all waiting for her response, and for the next steps in the impeachment proceedings')." She also underscored that the oath taken by senator-judges obliges them to make decisions based on the strength of the evidence, regardless of the political affiliations of the Vice President.