Senate Pres. Tito Sotto Says Chamber Readies for Possible Impeachment Trial of VP Sara Duterte
TITO SOTTO – The Senate President assured that the possible impeachment trial will not affect the legislative work of the senators.
The House Justice Committee, through a unanimous voting, found probable cause to impeach Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. The impeachment moves against the Vice President is expected to be taken to the plenary soon.
The Vice President’s brother, Davao 1st District Congressman Paolo Duterte, even claimed that “outright coercion” is allegedly taking place with regards to Vice Pres. Sara Duterte’s impeachment. According to him, the chief of staff of some congressmen allegedly starts to receive calls telling them to be in the affirmative side over the impeachment of the Vice President.
According to the Davao Congressman, they were allegedly told that the fund for their districts under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) will be removed if they do otherwise. He stressed that the people are supposedly the ones being punished because of it.
“Tao ang gusto parusahan para lang sa desperate attempt nila na mawala ang kalaban sa pulitika. Anong kinakatakot ninyo?” Cong. Pulong said.
The House of Representatives is expected to convene and to vote on the impeachment of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. Once the impeachment is transmitted to the Senate, a trial may take place. Here are some of the grounds raised against Duterte:
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes in amassing and converting the amount over PHP 500 million confidential funds (CF) allocated to the Office of the Vice President from 2022 to 2023
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes in amassing and converting the amount of not less than PHP 112.5 million of confidential funds allocated to the Department of Education (DepEd) for the year 2023
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust by corrupting and bribing officials of the DepEd
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes in contracting to murder or assassinate the president, the first lady, and the former speaker of the House
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust in amassing unexplained wealth and failing to disclose all her properties and interests in properties in her SALN
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust in committing acts of political destabilization and the high crimes of sedition and insurrection
Based on a report on PhilStar, Senate Pres. Tito Sotto recently assured that the legislative work of the senators will not be affected by the preparation for the possible impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. He stressed that acting as an impeachment court is part of their work.
“It (impeachment) is included in our scope of work. Being an impeachment court is included in our job order. If Articles of Impeachment will be handed to us, we must be ready,” Sotto said.
Based on the report, Senate Pres. Tito Sotto revealed that they have 17 priority bills that they intend to work on before June 5 when the chamber will adjourn. He stressed that these bills are already in the advanced stage.
“Our legislative work will not be sidelined. Even if the Articles of Impeachment arrive in the Senate, we will not forgo our legislative work,” the Senate President said.
Senate Pres. Tito Sotto previously revealed that he has already meet with some majority senators about the possible impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. Also, Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson said that the possible impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte may start in June.
