Senators meet halfway, set impeachment talks on Aug. 6

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Senate minority blocked a planned motion to dismiss the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, July 29, and requested a week to review the Supreme Court ruling that nullified it.

The impeachment case was discussed during an all-members caucus before the plenary session.

After the closed-door meeting, Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III told reporters he proposed setting the impeachment deliberations for next Wednesday, August 6.

“Merong nagsa-suggest na ngayon na. Eh pag-aaralan pa ng iba eh. Meron naman nagsa-suggest na August 11 kung mag-file ng motion for reconsideration ang House. Sabi ko, let's meet halfway,” Sotto said.

[Translation: Some suggested resolving it today, but others still want time to study the decision. Others suggested August 11, in case the House files a motion for reconsideration. I said, let’s meet halfway.]

Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri revealed that some planned to move for the complaint's dismissal during Tuesday’s session.

“Meron tayong kasamahan na gusto na ngayong araw tatayo at ididismiss na. They gave in to the request of our colleagues na let’s give us one more week para pag-aralan ng mabuti and of course our discussions will be educated discussions on the issue,” he said.

[Translation: There were colleagues who wanted to stand and dismiss the complaint today. But they gave in to our request to give it another week so we can study the matter thoroughly. That way, our discussions will be more informed.]

Allies of Vice President Duterte in the Senate have long pushed to dismiss the complaint - even before the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional. Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa previously stated he would question the jurisdiction of the 20th Congress once it convened.

The 20th Congress opened its session on Monday for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address, though the agenda was limited to electing officers in preparation for the presidential address.

In a separate press conference on Tuesday, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said the Senate must decide whether to comply with the Supreme Court ruling, which voided the complaint from the beginning and declared the Senate impeachment court had no jurisdiction.

“Personally, ang posisyon ko bilang abogado ay ito: nagdesisyon ang Korte Suprema, sang-ayon ka man doon o hindi, dapat ito’y sundin. Kung hindi, magkakaroon tayo ng constitutional crisis at baka tignan tayo ng ating karatig-bansa at ibang tao na isang banana republic kung saan sinusunod lang natin ‘yong mga gusto natin,” he said.

[Translation: As a lawyer, my personal position is this: the Supreme Court has ruled - whether you agree with it or not, it must be followed. If not, we risk a constitutional crisis. Other countries may view us as a banana republic if we only follow the laws we like.]

He added that it's "safe" to make a decision without convening the impeachment court, as doing so may be seen as defying the Supreme Court ruling.