The Senate impeachment court has achieved significant milestones, countering claims that the proceedings against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte are being deliberately delayed. In a statement on Tuesday, spokesperson lawyer Regie Tongol highlighted key actions taken since the court convened last week, including the formal organization of the court, adoption of procedural and supplemental rules, issuance of a compliance order to the House of Representatives regarding jurisdictional issues, release of summons to Duterte, and receipt of her defense counsels’ formal entry of appearance.
“Claims of foot-dragging are baseless as actions speak louder than words,” Tongol asserted. He noted that routine filings, such as motions for clarification and compliance, could have been submitted easily since the court’s convening.
Tongol questioned the sincerity of critics, asking, “Has anyone asked why seven days have already passed since the Court was first convened and yet none of those filings they said they would submit have actually been filed? If it takes them that long to act on small and simple matters like these, needing a whole week, how much longer will it take for bigger filings or motions?”
He emphasized that it is disrespectful for litigants to undermine the court’s credibility instead of fulfilling their responsibilities. Tongol urged critics to address their grievances within the court rather than publicly, stressing that if their aim is to expedite proceedings, they should focus on filing the necessary pleadings instead of attacking the court.