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Lawmakers Warn Senate: Don't Kill Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial
Photo credit: Akbayan Partylist
Three progressive lawmakers on Friday warned the Senate against dismissing the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte before a full trial can take place, saying any move to block the proceedings would violate the Constitution and further damage the institution’s credibility.
Reps. Chel Diokno, Leila de Lima, and Percival Cendaña made the remarks after attending preliminary investigation proceedings at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office related to complaints filed by Duterte’s husband, lawyer Manases Carpio.
The controversy comes as the Senate prepares to formally convene as an impeachment court on May 18 following the transmission of the Articles of Impeachment from the House of Representatives.
Diokno stressed that the Constitution leaves the Senate with no option but to proceed with the trial once the impeachment articles are received.
“There should be. Dapat lang. Kasi ‘yan mismo ang utos ng ating Saligang Batas na ‘pag natanggap ang Articles of Impeachment, walang choice ang Senado kundi ilitisin ang kaso,” Diokno said.
“When the Constitution says conduct a trial forthwith, ibig sabihin ilatag ang ebidensya, testigo at dokumento,” he added.
The lawmaker also warned that attempts to dismiss the impeachment case through procedural moves could be unconstitutional.
“Sa tingin ko labag sa Constitution ‘yan,” Diokno said when asked about reports that some senators may seek to throw out the complaint before trial.
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano earlier announced that the Senate would officially convene as an impeachment court on Monday to begin proceedings.
De Lima, who is part of the House prosecution panel, said prosecutors are still discussing whether they will immediately appear before the Senate on the first day of the convening.
“Kaming panel of prosecutors, we will be discussing kung pupunta na ba kami on Monday rin para magpakita na handa na kami,” she said.
Meanwhile, Cendaña warned that blocking the impeachment proceedings would only deepen public embarrassment surrounding the Senate.
“And there has to be a trial. Nakakahiya na ang Senado kung kanilang pipigilan pa ‘yung pag-iimbestiga na ito. They cannot do this to the Filipino people the second time around,” Cendaña said.
He also accused Duterte allies of maneuvering inside the Senate to protect the Vice President from accountability.
“Nakita natin kung paano nagmaniobra ‘yung mga kampon ni Duterte para protektahan ang isang pugante,” he said, referencing the recent controversy involving Senator Ronald dela Rosa and his stay inside the Senate complex after an arrest order from the International Criminal Court.
The House of Representatives earlier voted 257-25-9 to impeach Duterte, comfortably surpassing the constitutional requirement needed to elevate the case to the Senate.
The impeachment articles include allegations involving the alleged misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, alleged bribery of education officials, and alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.
With political tensions continuing to rise, lawmakers said the impeachment proceedings could become a major test of the Senate’s independence and credibility in the coming weeks.
Reps. Chel Diokno, Leila de Lima, and Percival Cendaña made the remarks after attending preliminary investigation proceedings at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office related to complaints filed by Duterte’s husband, lawyer Manases Carpio.
The controversy comes as the Senate prepares to formally convene as an impeachment court on May 18 following the transmission of the Articles of Impeachment from the House of Representatives.
Diokno stressed that the Constitution leaves the Senate with no option but to proceed with the trial once the impeachment articles are received.
“There should be. Dapat lang. Kasi ‘yan mismo ang utos ng ating Saligang Batas na ‘pag natanggap ang Articles of Impeachment, walang choice ang Senado kundi ilitisin ang kaso,” Diokno said.
“When the Constitution says conduct a trial forthwith, ibig sabihin ilatag ang ebidensya, testigo at dokumento,” he added.
The lawmaker also warned that attempts to dismiss the impeachment case through procedural moves could be unconstitutional.
“Sa tingin ko labag sa Constitution ‘yan,” Diokno said when asked about reports that some senators may seek to throw out the complaint before trial.
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano earlier announced that the Senate would officially convene as an impeachment court on Monday to begin proceedings.
De Lima, who is part of the House prosecution panel, said prosecutors are still discussing whether they will immediately appear before the Senate on the first day of the convening.
“Kaming panel of prosecutors, we will be discussing kung pupunta na ba kami on Monday rin para magpakita na handa na kami,” she said.
Meanwhile, Cendaña warned that blocking the impeachment proceedings would only deepen public embarrassment surrounding the Senate.
“And there has to be a trial. Nakakahiya na ang Senado kung kanilang pipigilan pa ‘yung pag-iimbestiga na ito. They cannot do this to the Filipino people the second time around,” Cendaña said.
He also accused Duterte allies of maneuvering inside the Senate to protect the Vice President from accountability.
“Nakita natin kung paano nagmaniobra ‘yung mga kampon ni Duterte para protektahan ang isang pugante,” he said, referencing the recent controversy involving Senator Ronald dela Rosa and his stay inside the Senate complex after an arrest order from the International Criminal Court.
The House of Representatives earlier voted 257-25-9 to impeach Duterte, comfortably surpassing the constitutional requirement needed to elevate the case to the Senate.
The impeachment articles include allegations involving the alleged misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, alleged bribery of education officials, and alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.
With political tensions continuing to rise, lawmakers said the impeachment proceedings could become a major test of the Senate’s independence and credibility in the coming weeks.
May 15, 2026
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