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Wazzup Pilipinas!?
Last November, when Congresswoman France Castro first raised the possibility of impeaching Vice President Sara Duterte, the VP wasted no time preparing for a possible trial. In her recent press conference, Duterte revealed that she had already been meeting with her lawyers to ensure she was ready for whatever lay ahead.
But while VP Sara is fully prepared, the Senate seems to be dragging its feet. Instead of promptly commencing the trial, they decided to delay it until Congress reconvenes in June, after the midterm elections. Senate President Francis Escudero justified this decision by claiming that the senators, who will act as judges in the trial, must first be sworn in as an impeachment court while Congress is in session. This reasoning, however, is now being challenged by legal experts.
Senate’s Delay: A Violation of the Constitution?
According to Article XI, Section 3(4) of the 1987 Philippine Constitution:
“When a verified complaint or resolution of impeachment is filed by at least one-third of all the Members of the House, it shall constitute the Articles of Impeachment, and the trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed.”
The term “forthwith” is crystal clear—it means immediately, without unnecessary delay. The Senate’s decision to postpone the trial until June is a direct violation of this constitutional mandate. If this is tolerated, it sets a dangerous precedent where any impeachment process can be manipulated simply by delaying or refusing to hold the trial.
The Senate: Manipulating or Incompetent?
If the Senate has a clear constitutional obligation to begin the impeachment trial immediately, why are they stalling? There are only two possible explanations:
The process is being deliberately manipulated to favor one side.
The senators lack proper knowledge of their constitutional duties.
If senators, especially Senate President Escudero, had truly studied the law, they would have anticipated this situation and been prepared. Nowhere in the Constitution does it say, “The Senate can take a vacation before holding the impeachment trial.”
Impeachment Should Not Be Politicized
Impeachment is a vital mechanism for holding public officials accountable. Any delay in this process is a denial of justice to the Filipino people. If a high-ranking official can avoid impeachment just by delaying the trial, then what is the point of having laws in the first place?
It is no secret that some senators do not care about public sentiment because they know there are no immediate consequences for inaction. When election season comes, they flood us with promises—but when faced with real national issues like this, they suddenly disappear.
Senator Risa Hontiveros: The Only Voice of Reason?
Among the senators, only Senator Risa Hontiveros has openly called for the immediate start of the impeachment trial. In a system where laws seem to be twisted for the benefit of a few, we need more leaders with courage and integrity.
If we truly want real change in our government, we must remember these events when the next election comes. We must stop electing leaders who prioritize their political interests over the nation’s welfare.
Justice or Manipulation? The Senate Holds the Answer
VP Sara Duterte is more than ready for her impeachment trial—but the real question is, is the Senate ready to do the right thing? The continued delay is not just inaction; it is a direct assault on our Constitution.
If we want a government that is truly accountable, we must stand firm and demand the immediate start of the impeachment trial. In a democracy, laws should never be ignored—especially by those who are supposed to uphold them.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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