De Lima Slams Senate Over Early Signs Dribbling Impeachment Case
Congresswoman-elect Leila de Lima of the Mamamayang Liberal Party has sharply criticized the Senate for what she calls the “early signs dribbling impeachment case” against Vice President Sara Duterte. Speaking on the evening of June 2, De Lima expressed frustration over what she describes as deliberate delay tactics.
“Huwag na tayong maglokohan. This is no longer about legal preparedness. This is about political will,” said De Lima, a former senator. She questioned Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s claim that he is still “studying” the rules, asking, “ano pa ang kailangang pag-aralan kung malinaw ang mandato?”
Members of the House of Representatives have asserted that the Senate is constitutionally required to conduct an impeachment trial once the articles of impeachment are submitted. De Lima warned that the stalling tactics appear designed to exhaust public interest, dampen momentum, and protect those in power.
Senate President Escudero Defends Delay Amid Calls for Action
In a press briefing on June 2, Escudero emphasized that the continuation of the Vice President’s impeachment trial in the 20th Congress is not guaranteed. He noted that the Senate plenary, when it reconvenes in July, will determine how to proceed with the impeachment complaint from the House.
Escudero announced the postponement of the scheduled reading of the articles of impeachment by the House prosecution panel in the Senate from June 2 to June 11. This move has fueled concerns about possible delay tactics.
De Lima: Senate’s Role as Constitutional Stewards at Stake
De Lima, who is part of the prosecution team aiming to convict Vice President Sara Duterte on at least one of seven charges, underscored the gravity of the situation. “This is not merely a question of whether the Vice President will be convicted,” she said. “This is about whether the truth will even be allowed into the room. Whether the evidence will see the light of day. Whether the Senate will do its job, or quietly surrender its role as the last forum of accountability.”
She further added, “When powerful figures are accused of grave abuse, silence is complicity. Delay is betrayal.”
De Lima called on the Senate, saying, “You are not gatekeepers of convenience. You are stewards of the Constitution. The responsibility now rests on your shoulders. You must rise to meet it. Let the trial begin.”
Background and Context
The House of Representatives submitted the impeachment complaint against Vice President Duterte to the Senate on February 5. Since then, concerns over the Senate’s handling of the case have mounted, with critics fearing the process is being intentionally slowed.
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