Bato Dela Rosa Confirms Resolution to Scrap Duterte Trial
BATO DELA ROSA – The resolution led by Dela Rosa could prevent the Senate from conducting a full trial on the charges filed by the House against Duterte.
Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa confirmed on Wednesday that he authored one of three proposed Senate resolutions aimed at rejecting the impeachment charges against Vice President Sara Duterte. He mentioned that the existing drafts might be merged into a single, stronger version, which he intends to submit soon.
Despite this move, several lawmakers from the House of Representatives have expressed concern, arguing that bypassing an impeachment trial through a resolution would violate constitutional provisions.
Manila Third District Representative Joel Chua, a member of the House prosecution panel, emphasized that the Senate is constitutionally required to conduct a trial in impeachment cases. “Under the Constitution, ang trabaho ng Senate is to hear, ‘di ba? …Hindi ko naiisip kung paano nila idi-dismiss ‘yan without first conducting the trial. That is their constitutional mandate… Well for me, that is unconstitutional,” Chua stated, labeling the move as unconstitutional.
Chua further warned that simply nullifying the complaint without due process could damage the Senate’s credibility and demanded transparency from its members.
The House of Representatives approved the impeachment complaint against Duterte in February, accusing her of serious offenses such as corruption and alleged involvement in a plot to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., her former political ally and running mate.
Vice President Duterte has rejected the accusations, defending her use of confidential funds and claiming that her statements about Marcos were taken out of context.
Should the Senate proceed with a full trial, Duterte would need at least nine votes from the 24-member chamber to secure acquittal. According to the report, failure to do so would lead to her removal from office and a permanent disqualification from holding any public position.
A crucial vote in the Senate is scheduled for June 11, the last session day of the 19th Congress, to decide whether the trial should continue under the 20th Congress, which convenes next month. This decision will determine whether the impeachment process will proceed or be set aside.
READ ALSO: Nicolas Torre III Says PNP Prepares Contingency Plan If ICC Orders Arrest of Bato dela Rosa