Despite inclement weather, protesters gathered in front of the Senate building on Wednesday to denounce the chamber’s decision to return the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the House of Representatives, effectively stalling the trial.
The demonstration, led by Akbayan Party and Tindig Pilipinas, drew over a hundred participants to Diokno Boulevard in Pasay City. The protesters initially aimed to pressure the Senate to convene as an impeachment court, but the rally quickly turned into a broader condemnation of the 18 senators who voted to send the impeachment complaint back to the House.
“Senate President Chiz [Francis Escudero] and the 18 senators who pushed to return and once again stall the impeachment complaint in the House are causing major delays,” said Akbayan Party president Rafaela David in a chance interview. “It is clear this is a blatant violation of our Constitution. Maybe they need the strength and support of the people to help them find the courage to stand firm.”
Tindig Pilipinas co-convener Kiko Aquino Dee also criticized the senators for what he described as premature defense of the Vice President. “Where have you ever seen a court where the judge defends the defendant even before the defendant can speak for themselves?” Dee said. Despite the setback, he expressed optimism: “It seems that the 18 senators were the ones who won last night, but in the end, throughout Philippine history, it has always been the people who prevail.”
Also present at the mobilization were religious organizations, student councils, senior citizens, and Fr. Flavie Villanueva, a Catholic priest known for supporting families affected by the Duterte administration’s drug war.
Left-leaning group Karapatan joined the growing calls to hold Vice President Duterte accountable, citing her alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds and alleged involvement in a supposed kill plot against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other top officials.
“With the preponderance of evidence against Duterte already at hand, Karapatan stands with the people in assailing the Senate for shirking its constitutional duty,” said Cristina Palabay, Karapatan’s secretary general. “We join the people in raising their demands for justice and accountability in other arenas of struggle beyond the halls of parliament.”
The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), a key voice in the business sector, also expressed “deep concern” over the Senate’s decision. In a strongly worded letter, MAP urged senators to proceed with the impeachment trial in line with their constitutional mandate, warning that failing to do so could erode both investor confidence and institutional credibility.
“We believe that the Senate has a constitutional duty to conduct, without any delay or disruption, the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte,” MAP said in a letter signed by MAP President Alfredo S. Panlilio and National Issues Committee Chair Rene D. Almendras. “Abandoning this mandate undermines the integrity of our democratic processes.”
“Upholding the rule of law is essential not only to safeguard our institutions but also to ensure a stable, predictable environment for economic growth,” the group added.
Lacson also criticized Senator Ronald dela Rosa for calling for dismissal even before the Senate convened as an impeachment court. “The Senate as a legislative body has no right to dismiss an impeachment case,” Lacson emphasized.
As the constitutional crisis deepens, mounting pressure from civil society, religious and business sectors, and former lawmakers continues to challenge the Senate’s actions. The impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte, if it proceeds, could be one of the most politically consequential events of the Marcos administration.
