Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday said the Senate remains committed to fulfilling its constitutional role as an impeachment court, even after a controversial move returned the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the House of Representatives.
“This process should not lead to a deadlock, but rather to the normal and constitutional proceedings of the Senate sitting as an impeachment trial court to hear the Articles of Impeachment,” she said.
Hontiveros expressed disappointment over the move to remand, calling it a step backward in what should have been a forward-moving process of justice.
She said debates over legal terms like “forthwith” and “return” have complicated a procedure that should now be in the hands of the Senate.
The senator questioned the rationale of returning the documents, especially since the 20th Congress, whom the House wants to certify the articles, has not yet convened.
“At least a summons has already been issued by the presiding officer. The impeachment court has also approved the Rules of Procedure that will be used during the trial. What we’re now waiting for is the response of the impeached official, Vice President Duterte,” she said.
“As for the House’s response to the Senate’s action last night, well, at this moment, the ball is in their court,” Hontiveros added.
The senator noted that under the Senate-approved motion earlier in the week, the trial was set to proceed with the presentation of the articles on Wednesday.
Instead, the previous night’s motion rendered that plan moot, placing the trial in a state of uncertainty.
Hontiveros criticized the language used in the House motion, saying it suggested possible dismissal or lack of jurisdiction, raising concerns over the true intent behind it.
“There was reassurance that the motion approved last night did not amount to a functional dismissal. However, the statements of Senators-Judges Imee (Marcos) and (Ronald) Dela Rosa referred to the effect of suspension, dismissal, and lack of jurisdiction, suggesting that this was their understanding and intent behind the motion,” she argued.
“There are many red flags in the language used in the motion because it is prone to ambiguity and multiple interpretations,” Hontiveros warned.
Hontiveros said the Senate must avoid giving the impression that the process is being compromised or manipulated for political reasons.
Alongside senators Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel III, Grace Poe, Nancy Binay, and Sherwin Gatchalian, Hontiveros vowed to push the impeachment process forward in accordance with the Constitution.
