Bato vows objectivity in possible Sara Duterte impeachment trial

Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa on Friday assured the public that he would remain objective if the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte reaches the Senate.

"I will vote (at) the proper time. Right now, I cannot give you my vote.  Maniwala kaya ang tao sa akin? Sana maniwala sila," said dela Rosa in a virtual interview.

(Will the public believe me? I hope they do.)

Acknowledging the political nature of the impeachment process, he admitted that senators’  political affiliations would likely come into play.

"Chances are lalabas at lalabas talaga d'yan ang  political color mo. Chances are talagang hahantong yan sa kampihan,"  he said.

(Chances are political colors will be revealed, and people will take sides.)

In the Philippine impeachment process, senators serve as judges during the trial. Convicting an impeached official requires a two-thirds vote by the Senate.

Well-planned

Dela Rosa, a known  Duterte ally, said he believed the impeachment complaints against the  Vice President would progress to the Senate, characterizing the effort  as "well-planned."

"Kasasabi nga lang, kapapalabas lang ng text ng Presidente nu'ng araw na 'to. Kinabukasan nandoon na sila, nag-file na sila kaagad," he said.

(The President just sent out a text, and the next day, the complaints were already filed.)

He added that even if Duterte addressed the issues surrounding her office's use of confidential funds, the impeachment push seemed inevitable.

"From the very beginning kahit haharap siya o hindi,  nakaplano na 'yang impeachment na 'yan. Hindi man 'yan mag-iimbestiga  kung walang balak na impeachment. Lokohin nila yung pagong... Otherwise, kung wala silang balak i-impeach si VP Sara, 'di yan nag imbestiga," he  said.

(From the start, whether she faced the investigation or not, the impeachment was already planned. They wouldn't investigate if they didn't intend to impeach her.)

Restraint

Despite President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.’s call discouraging lawmakers from pursuing the impeachment, Dela Rosa said words must translate into action.

"Dapat hindi lang hanggang text dapat may aksyon talaga... Kung totoo talaga  'yun, 'di lang 'yun for show or para panghugas kamay na text... sana may  epekto, maramdaman natin ang epekto kahit sabihin na nating  panghihimasok sa trabaho ng legislative. Pero kung meron siyang  unofficial control over these people maramdaman natin through the  actions ng mga taga House of Representatives," he said.

(That text message should come with action. If it's genuine and not just for show, we should feel its impact through the actions of the House of Representatives. Marcos could influence the situation informally, even if it bordered on interference with a co-equal branch of government.)

Vice President Duterte is facing two impeachment complaints filed by various groups.

The impeachment process begins at the House of Representatives where any member or citizen can file a verified complaint which shall be endorsed by any House member. This shall be included in the Order of Business within 10 session days and referred to the proper House committee within three session days thereafter.

After conducting a hearing and by a majority of votes by the panel members, the House committee shall submit a report to the House within 60 session days. The resolution will be calendared by the House within 10 session days.

A vote of at least one-third of all the Members of the House shall be necessary either to affirm a favorable resolution with the Articles of Impeachment of the Committee, or override its contrary resolution.

The Senate then conducts the trial, deciding to either convict or acquit the official. — DVM, GMA Integrated News