By Gabriel Kim Leal
(February 8, 2025) – Sen. Joel Villanueva on Saturday said he has no problem with complying if Pres. Bongbong Marcos Jr. orders a special session of the Senate for the impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte-Carpio.
Marcos already expressed his openness to convening a special session for the Senate.
“If the president is requesting, or the body, or majority of our colleagues want a special session, I have no problem with it, I am willing to comply,” said Villanueva, noting that the impeachment trial would likely extend into the 20th Congress with new senators elected in the 2025 midterm elections.
Some lawmakers, including Manila Rep. Joel Chua and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro, have called on the Senate to immediately act on Duterte-Carpio’s impeachment case, citing the upper chamber’s constitutional duty.
Chua and Castro were among the 215 lawmakers who moved to impeach Duterte-Carpio on Wednesday.
Villanueva, however, pointed out that the call might be seen as “biased.”
“Hindi maganda na ‘yung nag-file ng impeachment ang humihingi nito kasi parang biased naman kung ‘yun ang magiging basehan ng mga hurado o members of the jury kung bakit magkakaroon ng special session,” added the senator.
Duterte-Carpio is the first vice president to be impeached by the House of Representatives. She is accused of multiple offenses, including violations of the 1987 Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, and alleged misuse of P612.5 million worth of confidential funds.
Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero earlier explained that the impeachment trial could not begin until Congress resumes its session on June 2. This, despite opinions from legal experts that the Senate can reconvene even during the recess through a special session.
“Ang importante dito, klaro na klaro na tayo’y tutuloy sa impeachment trial, klarung klaro na mayroon nang impeachment complaint at klarung klaro rin na ready ang mga senador na gampanan yung kanilang tungkulin,” said Villanueva.
(With reports from JC Cosico, News5)
(PM)
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