A growing divide has emerged between lawmakers in the House of Representatives and the Senate over a rumored resolution that could halt the impending impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte before it even begins.
Tension flared on Wednesday as members of both chambers responded to reports that a draft resolution seeking to dismiss the case was making the rounds in the Senate. While House lawmakers warned that such a move would violate the Constitution, the Senate appeared split—some denying the resolution’s existence, others admitting it’s quietly circulating behind closed doors.
Senator Imee Marcos confirmed that multiple drafts have been drafted and passed around among senators, aimed at preemptively dismissing the complaint. Though she declined to name the authors, Marcos acknowledged that several versions exist, each one exploring different legal angles.
“One of the many drafts—this was maybe the third I saw—each has a different approach. They’re all trying to find the most effective and airtight legal solution,” Marcos explained.
Senator-elect Panfilo Lacson, who once served as a judge in the impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, also acknowledged receiving a copy of the draft. He noted that while no formal action has been taken, the document is gaining traction.
“If it garners enough signatures, it could be brought to the floor for debate and possibly adopted—assuming it has the support of the majority,” Lacson said in a press statement.
However, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero pushed back on the speculation, asserting that no resolution has been officially filed. As chair of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, Escudero emphasized that the Senate can only act on matters formally presented on the floor.
“There is no such resolution submitted at this point,” Escudero said, aiming to quell the rising chatter.
Supporting Escudero’s statement, Senators Risa Hontiveros and Cynthia Villar also distanced themselves from the issue, saying they have not seen any draft.
“Wala pa akong nakikitang ganoon,” Hontiveros told reporters.
“Wala,” Villar added flatly.
But members of the House aren’t buying it. They argue that dismissing the impeachment case without trial would be a direct affront to the Constitution.
“Our Constitution clearly states that the Senate’s role is to hear the case,” said Rep. Joel Chua of Manila’s Third District, who is part of the House prosecution panel. “I cannot imagine how they would dismiss it without first conducting a formal trial. That would be unconstitutional.”
Chua added, “If they throw this out through a mere resolution, I believe that’s not only improper—it’s unacceptable. They need to explain that to the people.”
As murmurs grow louder and the Senate remains noncommittal, the path forward for the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte remains mired in political fog—and possible legal controversy.