Senate goes into recess until June 2 without tackling VP Sara Duterte's impeachment
The Senate concluded its plenary session without addressing the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte. The session has been adjourned until June 2.
Senate Secretary Attorney Renato Bantug Jr. received the records on Wednesday afternoon, but they weren't reported to the plenary before the session adjourned at 7 p.m.
He explained that the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte were not read during the Senate's session because they still need to undergo staff review. He said that he needs "to perform staff work insofar as making sure that whatever the House transmitted is what the Senate also received."
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said Bantug should have announced during the plenary session that the Senate has received Duterte's Articles of Impeachment.
“The Senate Secretary should have reported it to the body if he receives it,” Pimentel told reporters in an interview.
He also said that there is a possibility that the impeachment bid will be tackled in June when Congress resumes its sessions.
"Sa normal course of events, mukhang sa June pa. Kasi very extraordinary 'yung sinasabi ko," Pimentel said.
"Huwag tayong mapako sa legislative calendar. Kasi pagka impeachment court na kami, meron kaming trial calendar. Iba yun. Pero unfortunately, meron kaming end of term ng June 30, 2025 wala tayong magagawa doon. Constitutional 'yun eh," Pimentel emphasized.
The Senate may still act on the complaint during the break, according to Pimentel. This could happen if no senator objects and the Senate rules are waived.
“What I’m saying is that it’s a very extraordinary situation. If no one will raise an issue or object or cite any violation of the rules, then it is valid,” Pimentel said.
During its last session on Feb. 5, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco confirmed that 215 lawmakers have voted to impeach Duterte.
The total membership of the House is 306, which means that at least 102 signatures, or one-third of the lower legislative chamber, are needed for the case to go up to the Senate for trial.
In a prepared statement, the House leadership said that the grounds for Duterte's impeachment are a “series of grave allegations, including conspiracy to assassinate Marcos, large-scale corruption, abuse of public funds, and involvement in extrajudicial killings.”
Duterte can only be removed from office with a two-thirds vote of the Senate. A successful conviction would permanently disqualify her from holding any public office in the future.
