Pimentel pushes for Senate's urgent action on Sara Duterte impeachment

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III has called on Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero to immediately start the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, emphasizing that it is the Senate's constitutional mandate to do so.

In a letter addressed to Escudero dated February 14, Pimentel cited Section 3(4), Article XI of the 1987 Constitution which states:

"In case the verified complaint or resolution of impeachment is filed by at least one-third of all the Members of the House of Representatives, the same shall constitute the Articles of Impeachment, and trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed."

Pimentel stressed that the word "forthwith" denotes urgency or promptness.

"The above elaboration affirms that it is the Senate’s duty to act on the impeachment case of Vice President Sara Duterte 'without any delay' or 'without interval of time.' I repeat that this is the Senate’s DUTY," the letter read.

"Given the gravity of impeachment proceedings, it is imperative that the Senate uphold its duty with urgency, diligence, and a steadfast commitment to the Constitution. I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to your response," it added.

GMA News Online has reached out to Escudero regarding the matter, but he has yet to respond as of posting time.

Also on Tuesday, Mindanao lawyers and others asked the Supreme Court (SC) to direct the Senate to cease and desist from conducting the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. They also asked the high tribunal to declare the Articles of Impeachment as null and void.

The petitioners include Israelito Torreon, legal counsel of evangelist and senatorial candidate Apollo Quiboloy, and Martin Delgra III, former chief of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, both of whom are allies of the Duterte family.

Catalino Generillo Jr., a former Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) special government counsel, on Friday filed a petition for mandamus asking the Supreme Court to compel the Senate to "immediately" convene as an impeachment court for Duterte's trial.

Generillo likewise cited Article XI Section 3 of the Constitution, which provides that the "trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed" after it receives the Articles of Impeachment from the House of Representatives.

He asserted that "the Constitution does not allow the Senate to procrastinate during the period it is on recess whether it shall constitute itself into a[n] impeachment court and try the Vice President."

Last Monday, the SC said the petition to compel the Senate to begin Duterte’s impeachment trial has been raffled. This may be included in the High Court’s agenda on Tuesday, February 18, along with other petitions.

The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on February 5, with 215 lawmakers endorsing the complaint. The Articles of Impeachment were transmitted to the Senate the same day. The Senate, however, adjourned on the same day without tackling the impeachment case.

An additional 25 congressmen later signed the impeachment complaint, bringing the total number of endorsers to 240.

Escudero had said that the impeachment trial of Duterte will most likely start after the State of the Nations Address on July 21 under the 20th Congress.

Meanwhile, Duterte said that she is not contemplating resigning from her position yet after the House of Representatives impeached her.

While the impeachment court has yet to be convened, Duterte said at this early stage that she will not appear since, she said, it is allowed.

She has maintained that she welcomes the filing of impeachment complaints, as this would provide an opportunity to answer allegations hurled against her.

Despite the impeachment, Duterte said she is still considering running for president in the 2028 national and local elections. — VDV, GMA Integrated News