The Senate minority bloc on Monday issued a united and urgent call for the Senate to immediately convene as an impeachment court and begin the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, condemning the prolonged delay as a breach of constitutional duty.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III raised a question of privilege on the Senate floor, warning that the chamber’s failure to act since receiving the articles of impeachment on February 5 has fueled public suspicion that the process is being intentionally stalled or quietly shelved.
“Respected academic and legal institutions have spoken in unison: the Senate must carry out its constitutional obligation to ‘forthwith proceed’ with the impeachment trial,” Pimentel said, referencing formal statements from the UP College of Law, San Beda Graduate School of Law, Ateneo School of Government, and others.
Pimentel emphasized that the Constitution is clear on the matter. Article XI, Section 3(4) of the 1987 Constitution mandates that once the House transmits the articles of impeachment with the required one-third vote, the Senate must “forthwith proceed” to trial.
“‘Forthwith’ means without delay — immediately,” Pimentel stressed. “There’s no ‘if,’ no ‘unless,’ no ‘when convenient.’”
Backing the call, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros echoed the demand in a formal statement. She said it was time for the Senate President to assume his role as presiding officer and administer the oath to all senators, formally initiating the trial.
“The Constitution is clear. The trial must begin immediately. Walang pag-iimbot. Agad-agad,” Hontiveros said. “To oppose this is to oppose the Constitution.”
She also cited retired Supreme Court Justice Adolfo Azcuna, a member of the 1987 Constitutional Commission, who defined “forthwith” as “immediately and without unreasonable delay.”
Hontiveros further warned that cramming the trial into a few days after months of inaction would trivialize the serious charges and undermine the integrity of the impeachment process.
The complaint against Vice President Duterte includes allegations of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, conspiracy to commit murder, misuse of confidential funds, and unexplained wealth.
Pimentel noted that nearly four months have passed with no valid reason for the Senate’s inaction.
“At every turn, we had a choice — and we chose delay,” he said.
He urged the Senate to immediately halt legislative business and convene as an impeachment court, citing legal precedent that distinguishes the Senate’s non-legislative functions from its regular lawmaking duties.
“There’s no constitutional rule that says impeachment trials can only happen during regular session,” he explained, referring to Pimentel v. Joint Committee of Congress, a Supreme Court case affirming the Senate’s authority to perform non-legislative functions beyond session periods.
The minority’s proposal includes specific steps: swearing in the Senate President as presiding officer, placing senators under oath as judges, scheduling the trial, and issuing a writ of summons to the Vice President.
Pimentel concluded with a warning: continued inaction would only worsen public distrust in the Senate.
“A fair trial is the right path forward. Let the evidence be heard. Let the Vice President defend herself. That is the clear mandate of the Constitution,” he said.
