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Senate Leadership Shakeup Could Impact Sara Duterte Trial, Warns Kabataan Solon
Photo credit: Saturday News Forum Philippines
Changes in the leadership of the Senate of the Philippines could significantly influence the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, according to Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co.
Speaking during the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, Co warned that the Senate reshuffle may affect three crucial parts of the impeachment proceedings — possible delays, the conduct of the trial itself, and ultimately the final vote on whether Duterte will be convicted or acquitted.
The youth lawmaker urged Filipinos, particularly young people, to closely monitor the Senate as the impeachment case formally moves to the chamber following the House’s 257-25-9 vote to impeach Duterte.
Co maintained that the House Committee on Justice had already carried out a careful and fair process before transmitting the Articles of Impeachment.
Describing the committee’s handling of the hearings as “conservative yet fair,” she pointed out that the assessment was coming from the Makabayan bloc — part of the minority — and not from House leadership itself.
According to Co, the committee deliberately exercised caution throughout the proceedings to avoid accusations that the process was rushed or flawed. She cited issues involving sealed Bureau of Internal Revenue documents and the Makabayan-backed complaint as examples where lawmakers chose restraint.
The Articles of Impeachment against Duterte include allegations involving the misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds, unexplained wealth and suspicious financial transactions, alleged bribery tied to Department of Education officials, and accusations of grave threats and inciting to sedition.
Co said public attention should now focus on how the Senate handles the case, especially after the recent leadership changes in the chamber.
She also warned against a repeat of what happened during the 19th Congress, when a previous impeachment complaint against Duterte failed to move forward to trial.
According to Co, the public should watch out for three major concerns moving forward: possible delays in the proceedings, how the Senate conducts the trial, and the final voting outcome.
She specifically mentioned debates surrounding the interpretation of the word “forthwith,” following statements made by Alan Peter Cayetano regarding the timing of the impeachment process.
Co also raised concerns over how the trial proceedings themselves could affect public trust, recalling the impeachment trial of former President Joseph Estrada, where disputes over evidence became a major issue.
The third concern, she said, is whether enough senators would ultimately vote to convict, since impeachment requires a two-thirds vote from the Senate.
For Co, however, the bottom line is simple: now that the impeachment process has officially started, the Senate must respect the Constitution and allow the process to run its full course without altering or undermining the rules.
Speaking during the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, Co warned that the Senate reshuffle may affect three crucial parts of the impeachment proceedings — possible delays, the conduct of the trial itself, and ultimately the final vote on whether Duterte will be convicted or acquitted.
The youth lawmaker urged Filipinos, particularly young people, to closely monitor the Senate as the impeachment case formally moves to the chamber following the House’s 257-25-9 vote to impeach Duterte.
Co maintained that the House Committee on Justice had already carried out a careful and fair process before transmitting the Articles of Impeachment.
Describing the committee’s handling of the hearings as “conservative yet fair,” she pointed out that the assessment was coming from the Makabayan bloc — part of the minority — and not from House leadership itself.
According to Co, the committee deliberately exercised caution throughout the proceedings to avoid accusations that the process was rushed or flawed. She cited issues involving sealed Bureau of Internal Revenue documents and the Makabayan-backed complaint as examples where lawmakers chose restraint.
The Articles of Impeachment against Duterte include allegations involving the misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds, unexplained wealth and suspicious financial transactions, alleged bribery tied to Department of Education officials, and accusations of grave threats and inciting to sedition.
Co said public attention should now focus on how the Senate handles the case, especially after the recent leadership changes in the chamber.
She also warned against a repeat of what happened during the 19th Congress, when a previous impeachment complaint against Duterte failed to move forward to trial.
According to Co, the public should watch out for three major concerns moving forward: possible delays in the proceedings, how the Senate conducts the trial, and the final voting outcome.
She specifically mentioned debates surrounding the interpretation of the word “forthwith,” following statements made by Alan Peter Cayetano regarding the timing of the impeachment process.
Co also raised concerns over how the trial proceedings themselves could affect public trust, recalling the impeachment trial of former President Joseph Estrada, where disputes over evidence became a major issue.
The third concern, she said, is whether enough senators would ultimately vote to convict, since impeachment requires a two-thirds vote from the Senate.
For Co, however, the bottom line is simple: now that the impeachment process has officially started, the Senate must respect the Constitution and allow the process to run its full course without altering or undermining the rules.
May 16, 2026
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