Makabayan bloc joining signature drive to start VP’s impeachment trial

(Vice President Sara Duterte composite image from Inquirer, AP file photos)

MANILA, Philippines — Makabayan bloc lawmakers are joining the one-million-signature campaign initiated by the People’s Impeachment Movement (PIM), in a bid to push the Senate to start the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. 

House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro revealed this when asked about the campaign launched by PIM, which consists of various religious groups and sectoral representatives.

“Well, ano kami dyan, jo-join kami diyan. Jo-join kami doon sa one million signature campaign,” Castro told reporters in an interview on Wednesday.

(We will join the one million signature campaign.)

“Well, actually, nag-violate na sila sa Constitution eh. Diba? Dapat forthwith na nga eh. Yung forthwith na yung sinasabi. Immediately, kahit yung ating mga Constitutionalists, yung mga law experts, dapat talaga hinarap na ng Senado itong impeachment,” Castro said. 

(Actually they violated the Constitution since its says “forthwith” meaning immediately. Even the constitutionalists and law experts say this, the Senate should handle the impeachment.)

Earlier Wednesday, Senate President Francis Escudero stood firm against rushing the impeachment trial of the vice president. He even said that “no amount of signatures will amend the law nor convince me to violate it.”

On February 5, the House of Representatives confirmed that 215 lawmakers signed the fourth impeachment complaint against Duterte. 

Senate Secretary Renato Bantug received the document at 5:49 p.m., but it was not reported to the plenary before it adjourned shortly before 7 p.m.

Escudero explained that holding an impeachment trial “legally cannot be done,” as the complaint was not referred to the plenary to establish a basis for convening the impeachment court by the Senate, which had been serving as a legislative body.

He said that for an impeachment court to be convened, there has to be an ongoing session in the chamber. He noted that this would allow impeachment judges to take oaths.

Escudero stressed that this will happen on June 2 once the session resumes after this year’s midterm elections.