Civil Society Groups Claim Senate Allegedly Disrespected the PH Constitution
SARA DUTERTE – Several groups gathered to protest for an immediate start of the impeachment trial against the Vice President.
The impeachment trial against Vice Pres. Duterte has elicited different reactions from the Filipino people. Based on a recent survey of the OCTA Research, 78% Filipinos want Duterte to face the impeachment trial. The survey came after the Senate postponed the impeachment process.
Initially, the presentation of the articles of impeachment by the House of Representatives’ prosecution team was set last June 2. However, prior to it, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero announced that it will be moved to June 11.
According to Escudero, the Senate and the House still have several key measures that have to be passed before the 19th Congress adjourns. The delay in the impeachment process did not sit well with many Filipinos including some senators.
Sen. Koko Pimentel said there’s a need to ask Escudero over his decision to postpone the impeachment process against Duterte. In one of the Senate sessions, opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros spoke about the impeachment trial but the Senate President left when she was speaking.
Several groups also gathered outside the Senate building as they call for the Senate to act on the impeachment trial against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, civil society groups are even set for a 3-day protest as they call to start the impeachment process.
According to Akbayan president Rafaela David, they will go to the Senate to allegedly call for the senators to follow the Constitution. She claimed that the upper chamber allegedly disrespected the law by not doing their constitutional duty.
“Ang mamamayan ay klaro ang mensahe na dapat sundin ng Senado ang konstitusyon… Klaro na ang bibliya ng ating bansa ay ‘yung ating Saligang Batas at dini-disrespect ito ng Senate by not doing their constitutional duty,” David expressed.
Based on the report, the Akbayan President also stressed that the “call for justice should not end in Congress” and must be continuous. Previously, a known Duterte ally, reelected Sen. Bato dela Rosa, took the lead in the effort to halt the impeachment proceedings against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte.