MANILA – A resolution is said to be circulating in the Senate that essentially declares the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio as effectively dismissed — on the basis that there is insufficient time remaining to conduct a trial.
The unnumbered draft resolution references Article XI, Section 3(6) of the 1987 Constitution, which stipulates that the Senate is required to commence trial “forthwith” upon receiving the articles of impeachment from the House of Representatives.
“‘Forthwith’ is not a suggestion but a constitutional command which connotes immediacy,” the draft reads.
It added: “A delay in the fulfillment of such command clearly departs from this requirement and jeopardizes the respondent’s constitutional right to a speedy disposition of cases.”
The House of Representatives transmitted the articles of impeachment against Duterte-Carpio on February 5, just before the legislative break for the May 2025 midterm elections.
The resolution also cites Senate rules barring the impeachment process from carrying over to the next Congress.
“This leaves the current Congress with insufficient time to fully deliberate and resolve the Articles of Impeachment,” the document asserts. “As the matter cannot cross over to the incoming 20th Congress, which convenes in July 2025, the complaint must necessarily be deemed de facto dismissed.”
Sen. Imee Marcos said on Wednesday that she personally saw several draft resolutions that sought for the dismissal of articles of impeachment against Vice President but nothing was final.
“One of the many drafts, na iba-iba ang pakay — parang pangatlo ‘yan sa nakita ko, maraming versions, lahat ay naghahanap ng pinakamabisa at pinakanaaayon sa batas na solusyon, ‘yung walang butas,” Marcos said.
Senate President Francis Escudero, senators Risa Hontiveros, Cynthia Villar, and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, however, denied seeing such resolutions in separate interviews.
Outgoing senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel, for his part, cast doubts about the supposed resolution circulating on social media.
“Flawed logic. Big chance not authentic. Even quotation of the constitutional provision is not accurate,” Pimentel told media.
Escudero previously said the trial could only begin on June 11 — just two days before the sine die adjournment of the 19th Congress./PN
