By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Tuesday called on his colleagues to remain impartial and follow the law as the upper chamber awaits the Supreme Court’s final ruling on the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Sotto said the Senate will not prejudge the case and will act only in accordance with the Constitution and the high court’s decision.
“Hihintayin namin ang MR (motion for reconsideration) kung ano ang gagawin ng Supreme Court,” Sotto said, referring to the House’s pending appeal to reverse the SC’s earlier ruling that struck down Duterte’s impeachment as unconstitutional.
“Kapag sinabi nila na i-reverse, e ‘di bubuhayin namin sa archive. Kapag sinabi naman na hindi, e ako, I will keep my fingers crossed na sana baguhin ‘nila yung ilan sa mga probisyon,” he added.
Sotto warned that if the SC retains its ruling, “wala na tayong maiimpeach” because of the restrictions imposed.
The House impeached Duterte on February 5, 2025 over alleged misuse of confidential funds, but the Supreme Court voided the move, citing the one-year bar rule on impeachment proceedings.
The Senate archived the case in August,a move Sotto opposed when he was minority leader.
The House has since filed a motion for reconsideration, which remains pending.
Sotto, who now leads the Senate, stressed that his job as presiding officer of the impeachment court is only to “conduct” proceedings. “Hindi ikaw ang judge. Ang judge, ’yung buong impeachment court,” he said in a separate briefing.
He added that the Senate is “always ready” and already has standing impeachment rules that can be ratified once articles are transmitted.
Sotto previously blamed former Senate President Chiz Escudero for delays in Duterte’s trial, saying the articles should have been referred to the committee on rules “on the same day” they were received on Feb. 5.
ia/xf
