The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte will test not only the strength of the case against her, but also the Senate’s ability to remain politically neutral as an impeachment court, the House trial spokesperson said.
The solon said concerns over impartiality remain after some senators publicly took positions on the impeachment case even before the trial formally began.
“The rules of the Senate provide that the senator judges must maintain political neutrality at all times as the trial goes on. So now, we have different senators who are already on record putting their sides,” House trial spokesperson and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co said in an interview.
“But despite all that, nandiyan pa rin naman ‘yung hope ng kabataan ng mamamayan that we will see a fair trial,” she added.
The Senate convened as an impeachment court on May 18, with senators taking an oath to uphold “impartial justice” as senator-judges. Before the proceedings, several senators allied with the Dutertes had already expressed plans to block the impeachment case or questioned the findings of the House Committee on Justice during its clarificatory hearings.
She said the trial will determine Duterte’s accountability, but it will also measure whether the Senate can uphold due process and protect the integrity of the constitutional process.
“And if not, ang magiging on trial din is yung kakayahan ng Senado na panghawakan ‘yung constitutional duty nila to sit as an impeachment court, to maintain political neutrality as provided by the rules, and to provide due process, the entire gamut of it from start to finish,” she said.
The Senate impeachment court has issued a writ of summons directing Duterte to answer the Articles of Impeachment within 10 days from receipt. The Office of the Vice President confirmed that it received the summons and the articles on May 20, starting the timeline for pre-trial proceedings.
Once Duterte files her answer, the House prosecution panel will have five days to submit its reply before the impeachment court sets the schedule for pre-trial and trial proper. If the Vice President does not respond within the prescribed period, Senate impeachment rules still allow the trial to proceed.
The young solon also rejected claims that the impeachment case is futile because of political alliances or possible voting outcomes in the Senate.
“Accountability is never futile. Responding to the people’s calls for accountability against corruption is always a worthy endeavor,” she said.
“At the end of the day, what we want to happen is the complaints of citizens that were given to the House of Representatives, see its day in court,” she added.
She emphasized that senator-judges should decide based on evidence, constitutional duty, and due process, not political loyalties.
“And whether some senators have loyalties or political interests at play, the continuing hope of the youth is that all those are not the controlling reasons why one decides one way or another,” she said.
“Ang paglulunin natin sana ay ‘yung panawagan ng mamamayan para sa pananagutan, hindi ang interest ng ilan,” she added.
Duterte faces allegations of culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, bribery, and grave threats. The charges center on the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds, unexplained wealth and discrepancies in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, alleged cash payouts to high-ranking Department of Education officials, and alleged death threats against the President, First Lady, and former House Speaker.
The 11-member House prosecution panel is preparing for trial, with responsibilities already divided across the four Articles of Impeachment. Co said the team is also evaluating witnesses and plans to conduct mock trials.
Some senators have said the impeachment trial may begin around July 6, with proceedings possibly held for half-days from Monday to Wednesday. A two-thirds vote, or at least 16 of the 24 senators sitting as judges, is required to convict the Vice President.