Senate Members Take Oaths Amid Duterte Impeachment Trial
MANILA, Philippines — The new senators must now take their oaths as senator-judges in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros urged on Monday. The call came as the Senate prepares to welcome its newly elected members who will participate in this high-profile case.
At exactly 12:01 p.m., twelve senators began their fresh six-year terms, including five reelected lawmakers: Christopher “Bong” Go, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Imee Marcos, Lito Lapid, and Pia Cayetano. The seven other returning senators are Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Panfilo Lacson, and Bam Aquino, alongside former House representatives Camille Villar, Erwin Tulfo, and Rodante Marcoleta.
“I’m making this call now since we’re discussing it—just a reminder—that anytime from 12:01 p.m. onwards today, it’s already allowed, and I hope the presiding officer will swear in the remaining twelve newly elected senators,” said Hontiveros during a press briefing. She emphasized that this move is timely and necessary as the impeachment court remains in session.
Impeachment Court Remains Active
Hontiveros explained that the impeachment court, which convened on June 10, has not paused its activities. “So, at any time, the presiding officer can call in all twelve, or one by one. The Senate impeachment rules say as they arrive,” she noted, highlighting the flexibility allowed by the rules.
Moreover, the senator pointed out that the impeachment court can convene at any moment without waiting for the 20th Congress to officially open on July 28. “But alright, if it’s on the 29th, what’s important is that we continue sitting as a court and working on the impeachment trial,” she added.
Contrary to some opinions, Hontiveros firmly stated that the impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte is “alive and ongoing,” as evidenced by Duterte’s filing of the answer ad cautelam and the House prosecutors’ subsequent response.
Senators’ Duty in the Trial
The senator stressed that the case against Duterte cannot simply be dismissed by a motion at the trial’s start. As senator-judges, they are obligated to conduct a thorough trial before voting to convict or acquit the vice president.
“And for us to be able to eventually vote—whether to convict or acquit—we need to hear the evidence for each article of impeachment. We need to examine and listen to every witness for each article,” Hontiveros explained.
After the impeachment court convened on June 10, Dela Rosa, a known Duterte ally, immediately moved for dismissal of the case. However, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano amended this motion, proposing instead to return the Articles of Impeachment to the House of Representatives.
Cayetano argued that the House must first certify that it did not violate the one-year ban on filing impeachment cases, and that members of the upcoming 20th Congress commit to pursuing the case against Duterte. The House prosecution panel has already complied with the first condition, submitting a certification affirming the complaint’s validity.
For more news and updates on Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, visit Filipinokami.com.