Duterte impeachment hangs on Senate debate

Metro Manila, Philippines - The first major Senate debate of the 20th Congress is brewing as senators clash over whether to heed the Supreme Court ruling voiding the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros said she will oppose any move to vote on the matter while the Supreme Court has yet to resolve motions for reconsideration, including one filed by the House of Representatives.

“Don't expect just yet na magbobotohan kami [that there will be a voting]... do expect ang isang maalab at matalas na debate,” Hontiveros told NewsWatch Plus on Tuesday, August 5.

[Translation: Don’t expect a vote just yet. But do expect a fiery and sharp debate.]

Hontiveros argued that it would be "premature" to dismiss the impeachment complaint without hearing witnesses or examining evidence. She said she believes there is growing support from colleagues to wait for the high court ruling on the appeals.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva earlier said impeachment will be the sole agenda during the plenary session on Wednesday, Aug. 6. Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said that at least 19 senators are inclined to vote in favor of complying with the high court ruling.

Hontiveros and Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, however, believe the numbers are not final and that opinions may shift after deliberations.

“Well, ang debate ay seryosong kumbinsihan talaga. So tomorrow is an open field para sa lahat ng hindi pa-desidido na hindi ituloy ang impeachment,” Hontiveros said.

[Translation: Well, the debate will be a serious effort to persuade. Tomorrow is an open field for those who are still undecided on whether or not to proceed with the impeachment.]

“Let's wait and see,” Sotto earlier said.

Sotto and Hontiveros are among four senators who signed a draft resolution seeking a reconsideration of the Supreme Court decision. The others are Senators Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino.

Another voice from the minority, Deputy Minority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, took a different stance, stressing that the Supreme Court ruling should be respected and followed unless it is reversed.

“It is still the prevailing ruling and should guide us in the meantime,” Zubiri said.

“I expect a long and possibly intense debate tomorrow, lalo na ngayong may nakabinbing MR mula sa House,” he added, stressing that he is willing to listen to other sides.

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, a known Duterte ally, called the issue "case closed," citing that most senators - including the seven-member Duterte bloc - favor complying with the Supreme Court ruling.

“Four against 20 magiging mainit ba yan [Four against 20- will that really be a heated debate]?” referring to the four senators who signed a draft resolution urging the Senate to seek reconsideration of the SC decision and the rest who did not sign.

Hontiveros told NewsWatch Plus at least two senators are considering signing the resolution, though she declined to name them.

Dela Rosa said that if it were up to him, there would be no debate at all, but he respected Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s appeal to hear all sides.

Neophyte Senator Erwin Tulfo said he would listen to the arguments before making a final decision, but expressed preference for allowing the impeachment trial to proceed.

“Very, very much. Very, very much na gusto kong makita ng mga kababayan natin ‘yung ebidensya [Very, very much. I really, really want our fellow countrymen to see the evidence],” Tulfo said.

Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives in February over alleged misuse of funds and threats against the President. However, the Supreme Court, in a highly controversial ruling, struck down the complaint as unconstitutional due to procedural defects - something the House is still appealing.