Senate Has No Choice But Trial in VP Duterte Impeachment
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano insists the Senate must fulfill its constitutional duty in the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte. The Senate has no choice but to put Duterte on trial based on the articles filed against her. “Walang choice ang Senado…Hindi mo pwedeng pagbotohan kung ano’ng dapat gawin sa Constitution. Nakalagay sa Constitution, malinaw e. May trial,” Cayetano stressed.
Cayetano’s remarks respond to efforts by some senators, including Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, to dismiss the impeachment complaint through a simple resolution rather than a formal trial. Such a move would bypass the impeachment process clearly outlined in the 1987 Constitution.
Constitutional Duty Cannot Be Ignored
The seasoned legislator and former House Speaker emphasized that the Senate must carry out its constitutional role. The impeachment complaint was filed by over 300 members of the House of Representatives and transmitted to the Senate on February 5. Despite the political complexities, Cayetano said, “We have to carry out our constitutional duty.”
He acknowledged that the timing of the case complicated matters since the complaint was filed just as the 2025 election campaign season began. “It would have been a totally different case if it’s at the start of the term, middle of the term. Pero the reality is finile mo the day na magsastart yung campaign… and now we only have two weeks,” he explained.
Upholding Fairness Amid Challenges
Cayetano also highlighted the importance of fairness in the process. Senators will take a second oath to ensure impartiality before the trial begins. “Kaya may second oath. Hindi kami pwedeng mag comment [beforehand] kasi mag-oath kami uli that we’ll be fair,” he added.
As the impeachment trial approaches, senators will serve as judges in this critical case. The Senate’s role is clear: to conduct a fair and constitutional trial despite the political pressures and limited time remaining in the 19th Congress.
For more news and updates on impeachment trial processes, visit Filipinokami.com.