Senator Risa Hontiveros has pushed back against recent remarks made by Senate impeachment court spokesperson Regie Tongol, questioning the validity of his statements regarding the ongoing impeachment process involving Vice President Sara Duterte.
Earlier, Hontiveros called on Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero—who currently serves as the presiding officer of the Senate impeachment court—to facilitate the oath-taking of incoming senators of the 20th Congress. These new senators are expected to serve as judges in the impending impeachment trial.
In response, Tongol said the oath-taking cannot proceed until the 20th Congress officially convenes and a new Senate President is elected. He also pointed out that the Senate impeachment court cannot reconvene unless the House of Representatives complies with the conditions it previously set when the court first convened on June 10.
However, Hontiveros clarified that Tongol’s statements do not represent the official stance of the entire impeachment court.
“As a deliberative body, the strength of the Senate lies in its collective judgment,” she said. “Based on his statements at a recent press conference, he represents only the position of the Presiding Officer. But he does not represent mine, as one of the Senator-Judges.”
Tongol had earlier explained that the swearing-in of new senator-judges is contingent upon the presence of a presiding officer—a role that could change once the 20th Congress begins, depending on whether Escudero retains the Senate presidency or is replaced.
Hontiveros countered that no major decisions about the impeachment trial should be made until the court is formally reconvened. She also criticized what she described as inconsistencies in the handling of the proceedings.
“Hindi tugma ang matagal na nilang sinasabi na hindi pwedeng mag-convene at gumalaw ang Impeachment Court hanggang magsimula ang 20th Congress. Ngunit sa kabilang banda, dinidesisyunan na nila—unilaterally—ang mga panuntunan sa Impeachment Court,” she said.
(“Their long-standing position that the Impeachment Court cannot convene or take action until the 20th Congress begins is inconsistent. On the other hand, they are already unilaterally deciding on the rules of the Impeachment Court.”)
Vice President Sara Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives on February 5, with more than 200 lawmakers supporting the complaint. The charges include betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.
The Senate impeachment court held its initial session on June 10 and later voted to return the articles of impeachment to the House without dismissing or terminating the case.