Senate goes on break without tackling impeach bid vs VP Duterte
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Vice President Sara Duterte. | PHOTOS: Senate PRIB and official Facebook page of Inday Sara Duterte
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate on Wednesday adjourned its session without tackling the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.
The Articles of Impeachment was received by Senate Secretary Renato Bantug at 5:49 p.m. but it was not reported to the plenary before it adjourned shortly before 7:00 p.m.
It should be Bantug who should report to the plenary about the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte, according to Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.
“The Senate Secretary should report it to the body if he receives it,” Pimentel told reporters in Filipino when asked why the impeachment case was not raised in the plenary.
“Perhaps the announcement to the body that we’re in receipt of an impeachment complaint should be done during the legislative plenary,” he explained.
Congress will resume its sessions on June 2.
Pimentel raised the possibility that the Senate could still act on the impeachment bid against Duterte even during the break.
According to him, the Senate rules could still be waived if there is a 100 percent “unanimity or consent” or no one will object.
“What I am saying is a very extraordinary situation. If no one will raise an issue or object or cite any violation of the rules, then it is valid,” Pimentel said in a mix of English and Filipino.
The House of Representatives impeached Duterte with 215 of 306 members endorsing the verified complaint against her.
READ: House impeaches VP Sara Duterte, fast-tracking transmittal to Senate
Complainants cited the following grounds for impeaching the Vice President:
- culpable violation of the Constitution
- betrayal of Public Trust
- graft and Corruption
- other high crimes
The complaint mentioned Duterte’s alleged assassination plot against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., his wife Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez; her alleged misuse and malversation of confidential funds allotted to the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, and her alleged failure to disclose all her properties in her statement of assets, and net worth.
