@DeusXMachina14 Imagine if Pinks voted for Aballos & Pacquiao just as leni instructed, walang wala ang evil plans ng mga D30. Pero siympre ayaw ng pinks yan dahil proud sila hindi sila bumoboto dahil sa endorsment. Oh ayan ang tangible effects ng di pagboto ng winnable candidates. Ultin sa 2028
RISA: SENATE MUST PROCEED WITH VP SARA IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OR RISK PUBLIC TRUST; TOL: TRIAL IN 20TH CONGRESS IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Monday, June 2, urged the Senate to proceed with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, warning that further delay could erode public trust in the institution.
In her manifestation during the resumption of the plenary session, Hontiveros stressed that the 1987 Constitution mandates the Senate to proceed "forthwith" with impeachment once the Articles of Impeachment are received. She cited Supreme Court rulings—Chavez v. Judicial and Bar Council and Pimentel, Jr. v. Joint Committee of Congress—to argue that impeachment, being a non-legislative function, is not affected by the transition from the 19th to the 20th Congress.
"It is true that the 19th Congress cannot bind the 20th Congress... But this is only true for any work done by us in the exercise of our legislative functions," Hontiveros said. "Once we receive the Articles of Impeachment—'trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed.' Hahatulan tayo ng sambayanan kung hindi natin ginampanan ang tungkulin na ito."
In contrast, outgoing Senate Majority Leader Francis "Tol" Tolentino asserted that the trial cannot proceed in the next Congress due to constitutional limits. Citing Article XI, Section 3(4) of the 1987 Constitution, Tolentino said the delay in starting the trial—117 days after the receipt of the Articles of Impeachment—compromises due process and the Senate's authority.
"Under the 1987 Constitution, the Senate of each Congress acts separately and independently of the Senate of the Congress before it," Tolentino said, arguing that with only 12 incumbent senators carrying over to the 20th Congress, there would be no quorum to continue the proceedings.
Tolentino cited precedents including Neri v. Senate, Balag v. Senate, and Senate Rule 44, Section 123, which state that all legislative and investigatory matters terminate with the expiration of a Congress.
"If we cannot conclude the trial before June 30, 2025, we must recognize this impeachment case is functionally dismissed... Kahit anong pilit, hindi maitatawid lalo na't kung lalabag sa Saligang Batas," he added.