Senate Postpones Vice President Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial
A planned delay appears to be aimed at derailing the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Incoming ACT Teachers Party-list Representative Antonio Tinio criticized Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s decision to postpone the presentation of the articles of impeachment from June 2 to June 11. This move, he said, seems like a deliberate effort to kill the impeachment trial through procedural tactics rather than addressing the accusations on their merits.
Tinio pointed out that June 11 is the last session day before the 19th Congress adjourns sine die on June 13. “This deliberate delay exposes a calculated scheme to kill the impeachment trial through procedural maneuvering rather than addressing the serious charges on their merits,” he said. He emphasized that the Constitution under Article XI, Section 3(4) mandates that once at least one-third of House members file impeachment articles, “trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed.” The term “forthwith” means immediately, not after months of delay and political calculations.
Constitutional Duty vs. Political Calculations
The impeachment complaint was officially sent to the Senate on February 5, but the chamber has yet to act. First, it cited the midterm elections on May 12 as a reason to delay, and now it is prioritizing other legislative matters over its constitutional responsibility. According to sources familiar with the matter, this postponement disrespects democratic institutions and constitutional processes.
“If impeachment proceedings can be killed through procedural technicalities and political alliances, no high official will ever be held accountable for corruption and abuse of power,” a community leader said. The apparent coordination across party lines in delaying the trial raises concerns about impartiality and justice.
Political Opposition and Legal Arguments
Following the recent elections, President Marcos Jr. publicly reaffirmed his opposition to the impeachment trial despite mounting evidence of irregularities in Vice President Duterte’s use of confidential funds. In the days leading up to the resumption of Senate sessions on June 2, a prominent opposition figure introduced a legal argument that the incoming 20th Congress lacks jurisdiction over impeachment articles filed during the 19th Congress.
This legal stance, according to local experts, acts as a smokescreen for the administration and its allies to avoid confronting the Duterte faction in a potentially explosive impeachment trial. Tinio remarked, “Nakakagalit na makita kung paano nagiging transactional ang accountability mechanism sa ating bansa (It is infuriating to see how the accountability mechanism in our country has become transactional).”
Evidence Overlooked Amidst Political Delays
The impeachment complaint includes seven articles, highlighting, among others, the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds. After months of investigation, strong evidence has emerged, including fictitious names and questionable receipts linked to these disbursements. However, this evidence is being sidelined amid the political maneuvering.
Tinio expressed deep frustration over the situation, noting that accountability for public fund misuse is compromised when political calculations outweigh the merits of the case. This pattern jeopardizes the country’s democratic processes and undermines public trust in governance.
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