De Lima: Resked of impeach raps reading meant to 'kill' Sara trial

Incoming ML Party-list representative Leila de Lima expressed concern Friday over the Senate's decision to move the presentation of the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte from June 2 to June 11, calling it a potential strategy to derail the process.

"Isa 'yan sa mga senyales na sa tingin ko, may nangyayari. Sa tingin ko, mayroon nang ganyang usapan—na kino-consider na nila 'yan to kill the impeachment trial," said De Lima, who is set to join the House impeachment prosecution panel.

(I think that's one of the signs that something's happening. I think with these discussions, they are considering to kill the impeachment trial.)

De Lima aired her concern at the Agenda at the Club Filipino news forum, warning that by the time June 11 arrives, the Senate might simply vote not to proceed with the trial.

"Ang nai-imagine ko na, na come June 11, sasabihin na naman nila, 'Okay, hindi na puwede. Let's put it to a vote.' Hindi tayo makakasiguro na majority of them will say, 'Okay, let's proceed,'" she said. "I can only foresee na on that last day, sasabihin na lang nila na hindi na puwede."

(I would imagine that come June 11, they'll say, 'Okay, we can't do it anymore. Let's put it to a vote.' We can't be assured that majority of them will say, 'Okay, let's proceed.')

Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero earlier informed the House of Representatives that the presentation of the Articles of Impeachment has been reset to June 11, just three days before Congress adjourns sine die on June 14.

In a letter to House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Escudero said both chambers needed to prioritize legislation under the administration's agenda, and address over 200 presidential appointments still pending confirmation by the Commission on Appointments.

"With only six session days before the sine die adjournment, it is imperative for the Senate and the House of Representatives to prioritize the passage of these measures," Escudero said.

GMA Integrated News has requested comment from Escudero regarding De Lima's statements, but he has yet to respond as of posting time.

'Dilly-dally'

Meanwhile, De Lima also suggested that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s public remarks distancing himself from the issue may have influenced the Senate's handling of the timeline.

"Sa mga public statements na 'yon, may epekto rin 'yan sa dilly-dally [ng impeachment] (Those statements have an effect on the dillying-dallying of the impeachment process)," she said.

The President's supposed lack of interest in the impeachment trial, De Lima said, was a sign of "weak leadership."

"It just shows weakness actually in leadership," De Lima said, adding that, "That is a congressional matter, we have separation of powers. But in reality, this is both legal and political trial."

De Lima clarified that the President does not have to take sides, but should at least signal that the matter deserves attention.

"You don't really intervene, because you're not supposed to be, but at least you show interest," she said. "Instead of discouraging people, you have to show — 'Ah, ito importante ito kaya dapat seryosohin ito ng Kongreso' (Ah, this is important so Congress should take it seriously) — without necessarily saying, 'I am for it. I want VP Sara to be impeached, to be removed from office.'"  

GMA Integrated News has requested comment from Malacañang on the matter, but it has yet to respond as of posting time.

Also on Friday, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said Duterte's impeachment is beyond the reach of Marcos.

The President has previously said that he was not in favor of the impeachment trial as it would take away Congress' focus from the passage of critical pieces of legislation.

“Maliwanag po ang sinabi ng Pangulo na sa simula po ay ayaw niya talaga po ng impeachment dahil maaaring mayroon pong ibang mga legal na pamamaraan para mapanagot ang dapat mapanagot. Pero ngayon po, ang Bise Presidente po ay impeached na, wala na po sa Pangulo ito,” Castro said during a Palace press briefing.

(What the President said is clear from the very start. He does not favor impeachment because there may be other legal remedies to hold public officials accountable. But now that the Vice President is already impeached, this is out of the President’s hands.)

Further, Castro said the President does not have the authority over any impeachment proceeding.

Delays, delays 

De Lima questioned the repeated delays, noting that even in the House, the initial transmission of the articles was held off due to budget deliberations.

"I'm also questioning that—kasi ilang beses na ba namo-move (because it's been moved repeatedly)?" she said. "Hindi agad pinadala noon kasi ang excuse nila is budget hearing. Prioritized ang budget hearing bago kinonsider ang mga complaint."

(Back then, it wasn't transmitted right away because their excuse was that there were budget hearings. However, budget hearings are prioritized before complaints are considered.)

De Lima argued that the Senate should have acted on the impeachment trial as soon as the House voted to impeach Duterte, and transmitted the complaint last February.

"That term 'shall forthwith' is there in the Constitution—nilabag na agad 'yon eh at that point (it was violated right away at that point)," she said, referring to the constitutional requirement that the Senate must proceed with the trial immediately after receiving the Articles of Impeachment.

Also on Friday, Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel said he would ask Escudero about his decision to move the presentation of articles, noting that the later had issued an "impeachment calendar" months ago. — VDV, GMA Integrated News