The Home prosecution crew is ready to current its case ought to the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte begin anytime, Home Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, mentioned on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. INQUIRER PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez mentioned on Wednesday that the Home prosecution crew is able to current its case if the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte begins at any time.
In a press release a day after Home officers visited the Senate the place the trial could be held, Romualdez mentioned this was the peace of mind to him by Home prosecutors.
The Home chief additionally thanked the Senate for accommodating the Home’s request to verify on the services, as it could permit lawmaker-prosecutors to satisfy their duties professionally.
“Ang report sa akin ng mga Home prosecutors, handa na sila na mag-present ng kaso anumang oras buksan ang Impeachment Court docket (The Home prosecutors reported to me that they’re able to current their case no matter time the Impeachment Court docket opens),” Romualdez mentioned.
“The Home prosecution panel could have the mandatory services to conduct their work effectively. We now have the Senate to thank for this. It ensures that our representatives can fulfill their constitutional responsibility to current the impeachment case in a dignified {and professional} method,” he added.
On Tuesday, Home Secretary Common Reginald Velasco and different Home officers visited the Senate to examine the services that shall be allotted for the Home prosecution crew.
In response to Romualdez, Senate President Francis Escudero has been cooperative in guaranteeing that the mandatory preparations are accomplished earlier than the trial begins.
“Nakita natin sa pagbisita ng ating Home Secretary Common sa Senado ang kahandaan ng ating mga kasamahan sa Mataas na Kapulungan. Napakahalaga ng maaga at maayos na paghahanda upang matiyak ang kaayusan pagdating ng impeachment trial,” he mentioned.
(We noticed from the go to of our Home Secretary-Common to the Senate that our colleagues within the higher chamber are getting ready. You will need to put together now and put together correctly to make sure order as soon as the impeachment trial begins.)
“The Senate, led by Senate President Escudero, has taken decisive steps to make sure that all crucial preparations are in place. This degree of coordination between the Home and the Senate is significant in upholding our democratic processes,” Romualdez mentioned.
Duterte was impeached by the Home final February 5, after 215 lawmakers filed and verified a fourth impeachment criticism, hinged on a number of points like alleged misuse of confidential funds lodged inside her workplaces, threats to rating officers together with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and conduct unbecoming of a Vice President.
The articles of impeachment had been instantly transmitted to the Senate, because the 1987 Structure requires a trial to start out forthwith if not less than one-third of all Home members — on this case, 102 out of 306 — have signed and endorsed the petition.
Nevertheless, the trial has but to start out because the articles of impeachment weren’t forwarded to the Senate plenary earlier than the session ended on February 5 — which signifies that Congress must reconvene first after the election season, or by way of a particular session to debate the matter.
A number of lawmakers, together with members of the prosecution crew, beforehand mentioned that whereas they respect the Senate’s stand on the matter, they need the impeachment trial to start out on the soonest doable time.
Lately, Escudero mentioned that the trial would begin by July 30 — with the brand new set of lawmakers after the 2025 midterm elections sitting as senator-judges.
There have been considerations, nonetheless, with the trial being set as late as July. Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre mentioned that Duterte would profit probably the most from the delay, as it might be indicative of a tradition of impunity, the place observations made by completely different Home committees should not given a lot weight.
Romualdez, in the meantime clarified that the impeachment proceedings shall be performed in compliance with the Structure.
“We’re right here to observe the method specified by our Structure. The Home has accomplished its half in impeaching the Vice President, and now it’s as much as the Senate to conduct a good trial primarily based on information and proof,” he mentioned
“That is about guaranteeing that our democratic establishments stay robust, credible, and accountable to the Filipino individuals. I belief that the Senate will train its function because the impeachment courtroom with the utmost equity and independence,” Romualdez added.
RELATED STORIES
Home impeaches Sara Duterte, fast-tracking transmittal to Senate
Sara Duterte’s financial institution information eyed in impeachment trial – lawmaker
Learn Subsequent
Disclaimer: The feedback uploaded on this website don’t essentially signify or mirror the views of administration and proprietor of Cebudailynews. We reserve the suitable to exclude feedback that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial requirements.
