Senators Draft Resolution on Impeachment Case Against Sara Duterte
In Manila, several senators are crafting a resolution to help the Senate take a unified stance and move forward with the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte. This effort to draft a resolution on impeachment case against Sara Duterte aims to guide the chamber amid the legal challenges that have stalled the trial.
Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros revealed on Thursday that she and some colleagues are working on the draft. “It contains the highlights, which include the statement already released. And I believe, arguments and opinions would be included there, and eventually, if they insist, there will be a vote on August 6. It’s the D-Day that we’re all going to go. Because that’s what was agreed upon by the Senate,” she shared during a Kapihan sa Senado forum.
Guidance from Retired Justices Included in Draft
The draft resolution also references advice from retired justices. This guidance is intended to assist the Senate in deciding how to proceed with the trial following the Supreme Court’s ruling that declared the impeachment articles null and void. “It’s more of a draft up to now. But it cites references of our retired justices, which serve as advice on how we would move forward with the case, so we will benefit from that for the debate on August 6,” Hontiveros added.
While the senator did not specify who initiated the resolution, she confirmed that several senators, including herself, have signed it. “I signed it on the first day of the 20th Congress and as of that day, there were already four of us who signed. They plan on having it signed by others as well. Hopefully, going for a majority of senators. So it’s better that you ask the lead senator how many have signed it at present,” she said.
Supreme Court’s Ruling and Senate’s Next Steps
The Supreme Court earlier ruled the impeachment complaint against Vice President Duterte unconstitutional. It found the complaint barred by the one-year rule and emphasized that due process must be observed throughout the impeachment process. “Therefore, the Senate could not acquire jurisdiction over the impeachment proceedings,” stated a court spokesperson.
This unanimous 13-0 decision came just days before the Senate was set to resume the trial. Despite this setback, Senate President Francis Escudero announced that the chamber will decide on how to proceed on August 6.
For more news and updates on impeachment case against Sara Duterte, visit Filipinokami.com.
