Senate Begins Debate on Impeachment Case Against Sara Duterte
MANILA, Philippines – The Senate commenced its discussion on the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, with Senator Rodante Marcoleta immediately filing a motion to dismiss the complaint.
As the regular session started, Senator Marcoleta highlighted the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that declared the impeachment case unconstitutional. He stressed the importance of this decision in the Senate’s proceedings.
“The Supreme Court has already spoken. The last arbiter of law. It says, the complaint is unconstitutional, is void ab initio, is violative of due process. The Senate never acquired jurisdiction over this. It’s immediately executory,” Marcoleta said during his privilege speech.
He then formally moved to dismiss the impeachment complaint, citing the Supreme Court’s clear stance on the matter.
Background and Senate’s Jurisdiction Questioned
This marks the first time in the 20th Congress that the Senate plenary has tackled the impeachment case against Sara Duterte. Previously, during the 19th Congress, the Senate impeachment court convened and issued summons to the involved parties.
However, whether the Senate can proceed with the impeachment trial remains unsettled under the current legislature.
As discussions continue, the Senate faces the challenge of balancing legal interpretations with political considerations.
For more news and updates on the impeachment case against Sara Duterte, visit Filipinokami.com.
