By Rodolfo Dacleson II
(June 2, 2025) – Sen. Francis Tolentino on Monday claimed the impending impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte-Carpio was “functionally dismissed” if the Senate couldn’t conclude it before the 19th Congress ended.
He stressed the jurisdiction over impeachment is only exclusive to Congress which received the complaint, citing previous rulings by the Supreme Court (SC).
“SC rulings in ‘Neri vs. Senate’ and ‘Balag vs. Senate,’ all legislative matters terminate with the expiration of Congress. This principle is affirmed internationally. Unfinished business do not carry over into a new congress,” said Senator Tolentino during a plenary session of the Senate.
The 19th Congress is scheduled to adjourn on June 13.
“We must recognize this impeachment case as functionally dismissed by constitutional operation and no action can be taken by the 20th Congress on the matter for lack of constitutional authority,” added the Senate Majority Leader.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros, meanwhile, argued Filipinos will judge the Senate if it fails to fulfill its legislative function in trying Duterte-Carpio’s impeachment.
“Napakahalagang mandato po ng Saligang Batas ito,” Senator Hontiveros said.
“Klaro at walang kalabuan na once we receive the articles of impeachment, ‘trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed.’”
Last week, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero postponed the presentation of the articles of impeachment by the prosecution panel of the House of Representatives from June 2 to June 11 for both chambers of Congress to prioritize the legislative agenda of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
Escudero has been criticized for his interpretation of the term “forthwith” in Section 3 of Article XI of the 1987 Constitution regarding the impeachment of Vice President Duterte-Carpio, noting it does not necessitate swift action during a recess.
The embattled vice president was ousted by 215 lawmakers in the House of Representatives on Feb. 5, just two days before the Congress adjourned for the campaign period for the 2025 midterm elections.
Vice President Duterte-Carpio was impeached for her grave threats against Marcos Jr., first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez and alleged misuse of nearly P613-million confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President and Department of Education, which she previously headed, among constitutional violations.
She needs at least nine votes from the 24 senators to be acquitted.
(With reports from Maeanne Los Baños-Oroceo, News5)
(JREC)
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