Former Sen. Koko Pimentel Speaks on Possible Impeachment Trial of VP Sara Duterte
KOKO PIMENTEL – The former Senate President reacted to the rumors that some senators will allegedly block the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
The House Committee on Justice found probable cause to impeach Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. The decision with yield unanimous voting came after four (4) impeachment hearings were held by the panel.
Duterte skipped all four (4) impeachment hearings set by the House Justice Committee. According to her camp, they believe that the Senate impeachment trial is the “proper forum” to answer to the allegations against the Vice President.
Following the decision of the House justice panel, the impeachment complaints against the Vice President is expected to be taken to the plenary. The panel is having its last discussion today over the matter.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte’s camp said that the Vice President is ready to attend the Senate impeachment trial if she will be asked to appear before the chamber. According to her lawyer, Atty. Michael Poa, their team is ready to show to the Filipinos that the Vice President is not corrupt.
The looming impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. Recently, based on a report on PhilStar, former Senate Pres. Koko Pimentel reacted to the rumors that some senators will move to block the impeachment trial of the Vice President.
Former Senate Pres. Koko Pimentel was one of the senators during the 19th Congress who firmly stood on his belief that the impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte must start immediately. Starting the trial “forthwith” has become an issue then.
After the Supreme Court ruled that the impeachment case against Duterte violated the one-year rule ban, majority of the senators agreed to archive the impeachment complaints against the Vice President. Senators Ping Lacson and Tito Sotto were ready to revive it if the SC changes its ruling.
Speaking to radio dzBB, former Senate Pres. Koko Pimentel stressed that blocking the impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte is allegedly legally flawed. According to him, the Constitution mandates that the chamber should proceed with the impeachment trial once the Articles of Impeachment have been transmitted.
“That’s wrong, because trial shall forthwith proceed. If there would be a motion, whoever files it, that’s wrong. That person must be made aware that it is wrong,” Pimentel said.
Furthermore, based on the report, former Senate Pres. Koko Pimentel expressed his confidence that Senate Pres. Tito Sotto will block any attempt to derail the process. However, a conflict between the Senate leadership and the defiant majority should the senators attempt to block the impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte may result to a coup.
“I think he will follow what he believes in. Whatever the belief today is, if he is replaced, so be it… Being Senate President is just a position. It’s not worth crying over,” the former Senate President said.
Recently, Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson said that the impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte may start in June.
