Senators Push for Impeachment Complaint Dismissal Early
Senator Imee Marcos voiced her conviction that the effort to dismiss the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte extends beyond just the so-called “Duterte allies” in the Senate. She believes even senators aligned with the current administration are involved. This joint pursuit to dismiss the complaint early is shaping the political landscape.
In a press conference on June 5, the presidential sister shared her suspicions that some groups within her brother President Marcos’s administration are quietly encouraging the complaint’s dismissal. “Ang pakiramdam ko ang mismong administrasyon ay may mga grupo na nagsasabi na huwag na ituloy at baka mapahiya lang sa numero,” she said, highlighting fears that the numbers might embarrass those involved.
Broader Senate Support for Dismissal
Marcos stressed that this sentiment is not just confined to the so-called “Duterte 5” senators. Although she did not name specific individuals, she indicated that some senators fear a full impeachment trial could lead to a public defeat if Vice President Duterte is acquitted. “Di ba mas mahirap, mas nakakahiya kapag nagkaroon ng paglilitis at matalo?” she questioned, implying that the risk of losing motivates the push to end the process early.
Multiple Drafts Show Joint Effort Among Senators
Marcos confirmed seeing multiple versions of resolutions aimed at dismissing the complaint. While Senator Dela Rosa admitted authoring one, Marcos emphasized that the effort is collective. “Marami kasing draft na pinapakita sa amin, kanya-kanyang ideya…Yung nilabas sa media, parang ikatlo na ata yon. Tapos mula noon meron pa akong nakitang iba, dalawa pa yata,” she explained.
When asked if all drafts came from Dela Rosa’s office, she replied, “No, iba-iba di ko nga alam kung sino kasi nga naguusap-usap kami sa floor, ilalatag, isusulat, kung anong maayos. Joint effort lahat.” Senators are actively searching for a “solution” to resolve the issue—whether to allow the complaint to carry over to the 20th Congress, convene an impeachment court, or dismiss the complaint outright.
Concerns Over Timing and Validity of Complaint
Marcos also raised doubts about the timeline and handling of the impeachment complaints by the House of Representatives. She noted that multiple verified complaints were filed between early and mid-December 2024 but were only transmitted to the Senate in February 2025. “Ang tanong ko, bakit winithold? Kung winithold nila, aba’y sila pala ang nagpatagal nitong lahat,” she accused, suggesting the House caused the delay.
She warned the delay might invalidate the impeachment due to the one-year ban on filing successive complaints. On the constitutional “forthwith” clause requiring the Senate to proceed with the trial, she said, “Mas importante sa iisang salita na ‘forthwith’ ang malawakang kapangyarihan na binibigay ng ating Saligang Batas sa Senado.”
Trial Timing Deemed Impossible
The Senate is expected to receive and convene for the Articles of Impeachment presentation by June 11 as the 19th Congress adjourns. However, Marcos believes the timeline is already too tight for a trial. “Wala na talagang panahon para sa trial. Dapat i-basura na. Pwede silang [House] magpila ulit, subject to the 1-year ban,” she said.
When asked if a motion to dismiss the complaint would happen before June 11, she replied, “Hindi ko alam. Na kay SP [Senate President] yun.” Despite this, she noted most senators seek the most “legally sound, fastest, and clearest” resolution to the case.
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