Metro Manila, Philippines – Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Tuesday assured there would be no delay if the House of Representatives transmits the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.
“I will act on it with dispatch. Definitely forthwith. As soon as the Senate receives it, I will inform the Senate and refer it to the Committee on Rules,” Sotto told reporters on Tuesday, April 21.
“I know what forthwith is,” he added.
Former Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, whom Sotto replaced, faced controversy last year for allegedly delaying impeachment proceedings despite the constitutional provision that the Senate “shall forthwith proceed” with a trial once a verified complaint or resolution is submitted by the House.
The Supreme Court later declared the complaint unconstitutional for violating the one-year ban on new impeachment cases.
The House committee on justice is tackling new impeachment complaints against Duterte, citing alleged irregularities in the use of her confidential funds as Vice President and former education secretary, as well as supposed inconsistencies in her statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth, and alleged online death threats against the First Family.
Sotto said he and other senators are preparing for the possible transmittal of the impeachment case.
“We’re merely preparing just in case, para di kami biglang nagulat. At biglang nagkukumahog ‘pag biglang nagpadala ng Articles of Impeachment ang House. Pag hindi nagpadala, edi well and good. Concentration natin will be on the legislation again,” Sotto said.
[Translation: We’re just preparing in case it happens, so we won’t be caught off guard and scrambling if the House suddenly sends the Articles of Impeachment. If they don’t, then well and good—our focus will return to legislation.]
Sotto added he is personally reviewing the Rules of Court to guide him as presiding officer should the Senate convene as an impeachment court. He also recently hosted a dinner with around “eight or nine” senators from the majority bloc to discuss preparations.
He said he may call for a caucus before the session resumes on May 4 to plan how to balance impeachment proceedings with legislative work.
In a separate interview with NewsWatch Plus, Senator Win Gatchalian underscored the need for careful time management, noting the Senate must also address the impact of the Middle East crisis and other priority measures.
“We’re talking about an oil crisis, we’re talking about… yung mga LEDAC [Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council] bills. And then now meron tayong impeachment na komplikado rin [we may also have an impeachment process that’s also complicated],” he said.
Gatchalian noted that the new complaints appear more detailed than previous Articles of Impeachment and stressed the need to review the House justice committee hearings and existing rules.
