By Gabriel Kim Leal
(June 16, 2025) – House prosecutor and San Juan Rep. Bel Zamora on Monday said the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte can still move forward even without the additional documents being requested by the Senate.
On the first day it convened as an impeachment court last week, the Senate decided to send the articles of impeachment back to the House, rejecting calls to dismiss the case outright but leaving it technically pending for further action.
“We have to remember that the proceedings can proceed independently of these requirements made by the Senate,” said Zamora.
“Wala naman po sa ating Constitution na dapat nilang ibalik sa Kongreso ang articles [of impeachment], dapat nilang i-remand or return to sender ang articles, at wala naman din pong requirement na kami ay dapat mag-file ng certification.”
The Senate earlier asked for two things from the lower house: first, a certification that the House did not violate the Constitution or the one-year bar on filing impeachment complaints; second, a notice that the 20th Congress intends to pursue the complaint.
The House passed a resolution certifying compliance with these requirements before the 19th Congress adjourned on June 11.
Members of the House prosecution panel have expressed plans to seek clarification from the Senate about the remanding of the complaint. Zamora said they have not submitted the motion for clarification yet.
The lower house of Congress impeached Duterte last February, but the Senate trial has yet to start more than four months later. Senators have been divided, with some raising technical questions about the transmittal of the articles of impeachment, and others unsure whether the trial can proceed into the 20th Congress.
Duterte is facing accusations of constitutional violations, bribery, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust.
Zamora stressed the clear roles set by the 1987 Constitution: the House initiates impeachment proceedings, while the Senate is tasked with conducting the trial.
“Hindi po kailangan i-submit itong mga ito. Of course, as officers of the court, ang inyong House prosecution, kami po ay lawyers ay sumusunod sa korte. Kaya po kami, naisip po natin na siguro i-clarify ang ilan sa mga hinihingi ng ating impeachment court,” added Zamora.
(With reports from Marianne Enriquez, News5)
(CMZ)
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