Senator Risa Hontiveros lamented Tuesday night that the impeachment process against Vice President Sara Duterte is being dismantled “stone by stone,” calling the move a disservice to the chamber’s constitutional mandate.

During her manifestation at the convening of the impeachment court, Hontiveros questioned why, after the Senate had already assumed jurisdiction, steps were being taken to reverse that—and even strip the presiding officer of the power to issue a summons.

"So, nakikita natin Mr. President, talagang brick by brick, stone by stone, dinidismantle itong impeachment trial process, at dinidismantle itong impeachment complaint," Hontiveros firmly stated.

"Napakalaking disservice sa ating dapat tungkulin sa ilalim ng Konstitusyon," she added.

Among the conditions is a certification from the House affirming that the complaint complies with the Constitution and that the incoming 20th Congress is willing to move forward with the impeachment case.

On the same note, the Senate formally issued a writ of summons to Vice President Duterte, giving her ten days from receipt to respond to the impeachment charges.

Prior to Hontiveros' remarks, Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa questioned the basis for issuing a summons to Duterte, noting that the Articles of Impeachment had already been returned to the House of Representatives.

Meanwhile, Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero reiterated that the presentation of the Articles of Impeachment by the House Prosecution Panel would now be rendered moot, noting that the Senate had already convened as an impeachment court and issued a summons to the respondent.

Before the proceedings unraveled, 22 senators from the 19th Congress were officially sworn in as judges of the impeachment court for the trial of Vice President Duterte.

This came after Senator dela Rosa delivered a privilege speech urging the dismissal of the case, arguing that the House had violated a constitutional provision that prohibits filing another impeachment complaint within a year.