The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The Senate is preparing for a potential impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte as the complaint filed in the House of Representatives moves forward.
Senator Ronald Dela Rosa acknowledged this possibility during a virtual press briefing on Friday, stating, “I am expecting the worst. Magkakaroon talaga ng (There will really be an) impeachment.”
He emphasized that the Senate is ready to fulfill its role if the impeachment case reaches them. “Let them do their thing at pagdating dito sa Senado, pag-upo namin (and when it arrives here in the Senate, when we sit) as (an) impeachment court, then let us do our thing also,” he said.
Despite the budget cuts imposed by both chambers on the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) proposed 2025 budget, Dela Rosa noted that these decisions should not be interpreted as indicative of the outcome of a Senate impeachment trial.
The senator revealed that more than 10 senators initially supported increasing the OVP’s budget but ultimately decided to align with the House version due to the “strong words” from the Senate leadership.
He assured the public that during the impeachment process, senators will act independently. “Iba tayo pagdating sa impeachment court. Lalabas at lalabas ‘yung totoong sentimyento nung 24 senators na yan. May kanya-kanyang stand ‘yan (We are different as an impeachment court. The true sentiments of the 24 senators will really come out. They each have their own stand).”
Senate President Francis Escudero also confirmed that the Senate is mandated to act on impeachment complaints, even during the Congress’ regular session adjournments.