Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros To Block All Motions To Dismiss VP Sara Duterte’s Impeachment Trial
RISA HONTIVEROS – The Senator spokes her side on any possible motion to block the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
The senators have different opinions over the impeachment case against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte and the possibility of pushing through with a trial following the decision of the Supreme Court. The high court declared the Articles of Impeachment against the Vice President as “unconstitutional”.
The impeachment complaint against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte does not follow the one-year rule as to the Supreme Court, thus, it is “unconstitutional”. The court also found that Duterte was denied of her rights to due process. On the other side, the SC stressed that its ruling does not dismiss the impeachment charges filed against the Vice President.
The ruling of the Supreme Court was in response to the petition filed by Vice Pres. Sara Duterte, Atty. Israelito Torreon, and many others seeking to dismiss the impeachment case against the Vice President. The decision of the high court came a week prior to the date expected that the Senate will start the impeachment trial of Duterte.
The Senate impeachment court previously ruled to return the impeachment case of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte to the House of Representatives. Eighteen (18) senator judges of the 19th Congress favored the motion to remand Duterte’s impeachment.
YES
- Alan Peter Cayetano
- Pia Cayetano
- Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa
- JV Ejercito
- Chiz Escudero
- Jinggoy Estrada
- Bong Go
- Lito Lapid
- Loren Legarda
- Imee Marcos
- Robin Padilla
- Bong Revilla
- Francis Tolentino
- Raffy Tulfo
- Joel Villanueva
- Cynthia Villar
- Mark Villar
- Juan Miguel Zubiri
NO
- Koko Pimentel
- Risa Hontiveros
- Sherwin Gatchalian
- Grace Poe
- Nancy Binay
According to former Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel and opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros, there is no concept of remand in the legal process. Some former senators also believe that senator judges should allegedly not introduce a motion.
However, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero stressed that is allegedly no limit to what the impeachment court can decide on. According to him, the Senate impeachment court can even junk Duterte’s impeachment case even without a trial.
Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero said they will decide on the Supreme Court ruling on Vice Pres. Sara Duterte’s impeachment case on August 6. Ahead of it, Sen. Risa Hontiveros confirmed her plan to block all motions that will seek to dismiss the impeachment trial of the Vice President.
Based on a report on Inquirer, Sen. Risa Hontiveros believes that it is still premature to vote on any motion seeking for the dismissal of the impeachment case against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. She stressed a question on the basis of the dismissal without a trial.
“Up to now, it is still premature to vote on any motion to dismiss because what would we dismiss if there’s still no evidence or any warm body witness that we, senator judges, have heard?” the Deputy Minority Leader said.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros said she is ready for a debate if a motion to dismiss Duterte’s impeachment case is raised. Based on the report, the Deputy Minority Leader also emphasized that the minority senators are ready to fight.
“If that happens, we would debate on it and I am ready, we in the minority are ready to fight for our arguments, our opinions, and our vote regarding that,” Hontiveros said.
Previously, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte broke her silence on the Supreme Court ruling over the impeachment complaint against her. She also expressed her gratitude to her legal team and the people who prayed for her.