Manila: The Senate minority bloc has made a unified appeal on the Senate floor to convene as an impeachment court and begin the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, highlighting months of delay as a betrayal of constitutional duty.

According to Philippines News Agency, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino 'Koko' Pimentel III raised a question of privilege, expressing that the Senate's inaction since receiving the articles of impeachment on February 5 has led to public distrust and suspicion that the trial is being stalled or abandoned. Pimentel emphasized the importance of adhering to the constitutional requirement to proceed with the impeachment trial without delay, citing public statements from several academic and legal institutions.

Pimentel referenced Article XI, Section 3(4) of the 1987 Constitution, which mandates that once the House transmits the articles of impeachment with sufficient votes, the Senate must begin the trial immediately. He stressed that the term 'forthwith' is clear in its meaning, leaving no room for delay or convenience.

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros supported the motion, urging the Senate President to take his oath as the presiding officer and the senators to assume their roles as judges in the impeachment court. Hontiveros reiterated the constitutional directive for immediate action and warned against compressing the trial into a short timeframe after months of delay.

The impeachment complaint against Vice President Duterte includes accusations of grave offenses such as betrayal of public trust, constitutional violations, conspiracy to commit murder, misuse of funds, and unexplained wealth. Pimentel criticized the Senate for losing four months without valid justification and called for the suspension of legislative business to convene the impeachment court.

Pimentel pointed out that the Senate's authority to conduct impeachment trials is not limited to when Congress is in session, referencing a Supreme Court ruling that supports the Senate's non-legislative functions. The minority's motion outlines steps to initiate the trial, including swearing in the Senate President as presiding officer, placing senators under oath, and issuing a writ of summons to the Vice President.

Pimentel warned that inaction would further erode public trust in the Senate and advocated for a fair trial to allow the Vice President to defend herself, as required by the Constitution.