Solon: Unclear if impeachment schedule benefits Sara Duterte

House Women and Gender Equality Chairperson and Bataan Representative Geraldine Roman said Monday it was difficult to determine whether the impeachment schedule for Vice President Sara Duterte will work in her favor or against her.

“It could go either way. Justice delayed is justice denied, but the impeachment trial is... the perfect venue for her to defend herself, and to bring out evidence,” Roman said in a press conference.

She emphasized that both the prosecution and defense will have the opportunity to present their cases, and the final decision rests with the senator-judges.

House Deputy Majority Leader and La Union Representative Paolo Ortega V echoed concerns from House prosecutor and Manila Representative Joel Chua that any delay could disadvantage the prosecution.

“An extension, as it goes on, there will be greater chances of the evidence being tampered, witnesses can be harassed or intimidated. And this is not just because this is an impeachment. These possibilities are natural in any [pending] case,” Ortega warned.

The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on February 5, with 215 members signing the complaint—surpassing the required one-third threshold to send it directly to the Senate. Since then, the number of signatories has grown to 245.

While Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero has released a tentative timeline for the trial, both Roman and Ortega stressed that nothing is certain until it is officially convened.

“Regardless of the opinions out there, it is really the call of the Senate. How can we challenge their timeline? It is up to them,” Ortega said.

“The timeline can be anything... it could be quick and abrupt, but unless they pull the trigger, it’s all up in the air,” Roman added.

Escudero has denied deliberately delaying the trial, arguing that convening the Senate impeachment court while Congress is in recess would create legal complications.

However, opposition lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc disagreed, saying impeachment is an exceptional process that should not be treated like ordinary legislation.

Gabriela party-list Representative Arlene Brosas questioned Escudero’s stance, arguing that impeachment involves a fundamental question of whether an official is fit to remain in office.

“This position only serves to shield Vice President Duterte from facing the serious allegations against her,” Brosas said.

Kabataan party-list Representative Raoul Manuel accused the administration of avoiding accountability and called on the public to pressure officials to act.

"We call on all sectors of society to demand accountability and to reject any attempt to diminish the significance of the impeachment process. The truth must prevail, and justice must be served," the Makabayan lawmakers said. — DVM, GMA Integrated News