By Rodolfo Dacleson II
(June 12, 2025) – Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday warned that the impending impeachment trial against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte has entered “uncharted territory,” saying it could lead to a “constitutional crisis” if both chambers of Congress interpret the law differently.
In an interview One PH’s sa Totoo Lang Program, the Pres. stressed the current process deviates from the previous impeachment proceedings.
“Sabi ko nga sa mga nag-interview na pumasok tayo sa unchartered territory [kaya] hindi na natin alam kung ano ‘yung magiging takbo [nung impeachment],” said Gatchalian.
His remarks came after the Senate voted to remand the complaint back to the House of Representatives on Tuesday over alleged constitutional infirmities, including if the latter complied with the one impeachment per year provision in Article XI of the 1987 Constitution.
ALSO READ: Senate votes to return VP Duterte impeachment complaint to House
Gatchalian, who’s among the five senators who voted against remanding the impeachment case, also stressed that the confusion over procedure and legal interpretation could delay the trial or lead to further complications.
“Maganda sana sinundan natin ‘yung unang impeachment dahil meron ng precedent pero dahil nga ito ay bagong pangyayari, hindi natin alam kung anong magiging reaction ng lower house,” he added, referring to the trial of former president Joseph Estrada in 2000.
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives certified the initiation of Duterte’s impeachment constitutional but deferred accepting the remanded complaint due to clarification with the Senate.
ALSO READ: House affirms impeachment case is constitutional, defers accepting remanded raps
When asked about the possibility of a “constitutional crisis,” Gatchalian explained it may occur if the upper and lower chambers arrive at conflicting interpretations of their constitutional roles in the impeachment process.
“I’m sure pinag-aaralan mabuti ng lower house [House of Representatives] kung ano ‘yung magiging kanilang sagot dito sa nangyaring motion [ng Senate],” he furthered. “Pero gusto ko lang idiin na nag-convene na ang impeachment court kaya ibig sabihin buhay ang impeachment.”
Last February, 215 lawmakers voted to oust Duterte due to her alleged misuse of confidential funds and grave threats against Pres. Bongbong Marcos Jr. first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, among constitutional violations.
(BR)
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