A former lawmaker has called on senators to set aside political differences and internal disputes and prioritize the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, stressing that the chamber’s constitutional duty must take precedence over leadership tensions.Former Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said the Senate’s role as an impeachment court is a fundamental responsibility mandated by the Constitution, equal in importance to its legislative functions and rooted in the principle of public accountability.
“To conduct an impeachment trial is a constitutionally imposed duty on the Senate. It is equally important as its legislative work because it is the people who exact accountability from its servants,” he said.
He cautioned that ongoing political dynamics and internal squabbles within the Senate should not affect the conduct or urgency of the proceedings, which he said must be carried out “with dispatch and without fear or favor.”
The former legislator emphasized that the impeachment case should not be reduced to political narratives or personal rivalries, but should instead be treated strictly as a matter of accountability, due process, and adherence to the rule of law.
“While leadership changes in the Senate may create perceptions of political uncertainty, the constitutional mandate of the Senate remains unchanged,” he said, adding that every senator-judge is sworn to decide based on evidence and conscience.
The former lawmaker urged senators to rise above partisan considerations and protect the credibility of democratic institutions by ensuring that the trial proceeds without delay or external influence.
He also warned that public trust in the Senate depends on its ability to demonstrate independence from political maneuvering, particularly at a time when national attention is closely focused on the proceedings.
“At this critical moment, the nation is watching. The Senate must prove that no leadership dispute, no political alliance, and no external pressure can interfere with its solemn constitutional responsibility,” Barbers said.
He added that the “best service” the Senate can provide to the Filipino people is to allow the trial to proceed, examine the evidence fairly, and let the truth emerge through the process.