Manila: Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III on Tuesday warned that any attempt to dismiss the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte before trial would be 'unconstitutional,' as the Senate prepares to convene as an impeachment court.
According to Philippines News Agency, Pimentel emphasized in a radio interview that senators have a constitutional duty to proceed with the trial once the Articles of Impeachment are transmitted, indicating that any efforts to cut it short would violate this mandate. He expressed his concerns by stating, 'That's absolutely wrong. You're a legislative body, yet you want to dismiss your duty as a court? We've been given a mandate: to conduct a trial. We can't just wash our hands of it and dismiss the case simply because it's easier.'
Pimentel's statement was made in response to a move by Senator Robin Padilla, who filed Senate Resolution 1371. This resolution seeks to declare the impeachment proceedings 'terminated' due to the limited session days before Congress adjourns sine die on June 13. However, Pimentel argued that such action is "procedurally and constitutionally flawed." He stated that any concerns regarding the process should be addressed in court, and he reiterated that dismissing the impeachment would be unconstitutional.
The comments from Pimentel came just hours before senators were scheduled to take their oath as impeachment judges. He mentioned that the Senate Committee on Rules, chaired by Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, is expected to submit a formal report to fulfill procedural requirements before the court formally convenes. Pimentel noted that the Committee on Rules has committed to reporting out on the referral of the case, after which the Senate will proceed directly to the oathtaking. He added that Tolentino is not opposed to moving forward with the process.
Under Senate rules, the chamber will read the Articles of Impeachment on June 11 and issue a summons to Vice President Duterte. She will then have 10 days to respond, followed by five days for House prosecutors to file their reply. Pimentel pointed out that all matters related to the impeachment must be raised in court and that there are specific time limits under the Senate rules, allowing only two minutes per issue with no repetitions. Eventually, a vote will have to be taken to resolve the matter.
