By Gabriel Kim Leal
(February 8, 2025) – Former senator Leila De Lima on Friday urged the Senate to expedite the impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte-Carpio.
De Lima, echoing the opinion of legal experts, pointed out that the upper chamber can still convene as an impeachment court even during its session break.
“Ito ay impeachment, special function ito, mandato ito,” said De Lima, who’s also a lawyer, in a statement. “Ang sabi ng provision na ‘yan sa Saligang Batas: Trial shall forthwith proceed. Forthwith, ano ibig sabihin? At once, immediately. Hindi apat na buwan.”
Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero announced that the Senate would not address the impeachment trial until Congress resumes on June 2.
“We were expecting that the Senate would immediately constitute itself as an impeachment court for trial. Pero nadismaya nga kami doon sa announcement na ‘yon (ni Escudero),” added De Lima.
She is seeking a party-list seat under Mamamayang Liberal in the upcoming midterm elections.
Last Wednesday, the House of Representatives, with 215 members voting in favor, approved the impeachment of Duterte-Carpio. The articles of impeachment were already transmitted to the Senate.
Duterte-Carpio is facing several high crimes, including plotting to assassinate Pres. Bongbong Marcos Jr. and allegedly misusing P612 million worth of confidential funds.
Duterte-Carpio brushed off the allegations.
De Lima stressed that the impeachment trial is not politically motivated nor a personal attack on Duterte-Carpio but a fight for justice.
She likewise challenged the Senate to ensure transparency in handling the impeachment case.
“Dapat patas at transparent ang proseso, at tunay na nagsusulong ng hustisya. Hindi puwedeng maging isang palabas lamang ito para pagtakpan ang katotohanan,” said De Lima in an earlier statement on Wednesday.
De Lima was a staunch critic of Duterte-Carpio’s father, former president Rodrigo Duterte. She was detained for seven years before being acquitted on all drug charges last year.
(PM)
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