Manila: The Senate minority bloc announced on Monday its decision to formally initiate the convening of the Senate as an impeachment court before the 19th Congress concludes. This move comes amid ongoing delays in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, highlighting the necessity for the chamber to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities.
According to Philippines News Agency, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, alongside Senate Minority Leader Aquilino 'Koko' Pimentel III, plans to commence the formal opening rites of the impeachment trial on the Senate floor later today. Hontiveros emphasized that the objective is to allow Senate President Francis Escudero to take his oath as the presiding officer and to administer the oath to all Senate members who will serve as judges.
Hontiveros clarified that these proceedings are not intended to initiate the trial proper but to adhere to the constitutional sequence of steps. These steps include the Senate President taking his oath, senators being sworn in as judges, and the reading of the Articles of Impeachment transmitted by the House in February. She stressed that these opening rites are ceremonial and would not take more than an hour.
The senator explained the flexibility within the Senate Rules on Impeachment, which permit any authorized Senate official to read the articles once the chamber is convened. She further contended that the Constitution does not mandate a majority vote to begin these rites.
Hontiveros expressed disappointment over the delay in holding the opening rites, which she insisted should have occurred immediately after the House's transmittal of the articles. With limited session days remaining, she emphasized the urgency of proceeding with the motion.
In response to queries about the timing of the minority's motion, Hontiveros indicated that ideally, no motion would have been necessary. However, given the current time constraints, the minority is compelled to take this extraordinary step.
Hontiveros dismissed the notion that the plenary has the discretion to delay or deny the move, underscoring the supremacy of the Constitution in impeachment proceedings. She expressed confidence in gaining support from majority senators if Senate President Escudero decides to put the motion to a vote. Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Joseph Victor 'JV' Ejercito, Sherwin Gatchalian, and Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada were identified as supporters.
The senator also refuted suggestions of dismissing the impeachment case outright, arguing that such an option is neither supported by the Constitution nor the Rules on Impeachment. She cautioned against setting premature deadlines for concluding the trial and emphasized the gravity of the impeachment process as a constitutional duty.
Hontiveros called for fairness and urged the Senate to uphold justice and accountability. Once convened, the impeachment court is expected to discuss the trial's timetable and determine the appropriate course of action during the remaining session days or in the 20th Congress, if necessary.
