Imee backs post-SONA Sara Duterte impeachment trial

Senator Imee Marcos expressed support on Tuesday for holding Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial after the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 21, during the 20th Congress.

Marcos, the sister of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., opposed an immediate trial, pointing out that the House of Representatives took two months to act on the impeachment complaints against Duterte.

“Napag-usapan ‘yan ng mga senador at sang ayon ako sa desisyon ng ating Senate President,” she said at a press conference.

(Senators discussed this, and I agree with the decision of our Senate President.)

She argued that an immediate trial would be disruptive, as senators are preoccupied with election preparations.

“‘Di nakakatulong ‘yun. Abala ang lahat, baka walang panahon din na mag-aral at suriin nang maigi ang katibayan na ipapakita. Subalit sa kabila, no’n, ‘pag magtatawag ng special session, ang tanging dahilan is urgent matter. Eh parang ramdam ko hindi naman siya urgent kasi ang tagal tagal na niyan eh,” she added. 

(It wouldn’t help. Everyone is busy, and there might not be enough time to properly study and assess the evidence. Some are calling for a special session, claiming urgency, but I don’t feel it’s urgent since this has been pending for a while.)

Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero had announced that the trial would begin after President Marcos’ fourth SONA in July.

However, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III urged Escudero to begin proceedings immediately, emphasizing the Senate’s constitutional duty. He 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.”

For Marcos, "forthwith" means the next available session.

Close ties

Despite her close ties to the President and the Vice President, Marcos said she sees no need to recuse herself from the trial.

“I don't think it’s necessary, you can be close to a person and very close to the President, as well as my brother. So, I’m clearly related to him, I’m related to quite a number of officials as you well know, both in the Congress as well as in the local governments,” Imee Marcos said. 

Regarding her current relationship with Duterte, she added: “Hindi pa kami nagkikita dahil ‘di ko binubulabog ‘yung tao. Ang dami-daming problema.”

(We haven’t seen each other. I don’t want to bother her—there are too many pressing issues.)

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, but the Senate adjourned without addressing them. 

An additional 25 congressmen later signed the complaint, raising the total endorsers to 240.

On Friday, a petition for mandamus was filed with the Supreme Court, seeking to compel the Senate to convene immediately as an impeachment court. 

The Supreme Court confirmed that the petition had been raffled and may be included in its February 18 agenda.

Despite the impeachment, Duterte stated she had no plans to resign. 

While the trial has yet to begin, she has already signaled that she does not intend to appear in court.

Nonetheless, she welcomed the impeachment process, saying it would allow her to address the allegations against her. — DVM, GMA Integrated News