The Senate must proceed with Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, a legislator said, regardless of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. extending an olive branch.
In a report by RH 28 Raymund Dadpaas, Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito expressed his stance following the President’s offer of reconciliation with the Duterte family amid blistering conflict. He explained the trial was warranted by the Constitutional process, and its execution was the Senate’s duty.
Ejercito said that while he was aware the impeachment would stir up further dissension, there was nothing else to be done but fulfill their responsibilities.
Dadpaas notes that Ejercito was one of the senators who disapproved of the impeachment, as it would cause division among Filipinos and because there are more pressing matters that require the administration’s attention.
According to an earlier schedule set by Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, the Senate will be convening as impeachment court on June 3. The senators will take oath and the prosecution panel from the House of Representatives will read the articles of impeachment, followed by a summons issued by the Senate and order the Vice President to respond to the complaints lodged against her.
However, the formal trial is expected to begin a month later, in July, with the opening of the 20th Congress which includes the freshly-minted officials of this past midterm elections.
