JV Ejercito: Senate duty-bound to proceed with VP Sara impeach trial

Senator JV Ejercito maintained Thursday that the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte should push through as the Senate is duty-bound to conduct the proceedings despite other lawmakers' efforts to block it. 

Ejercito, however, clarified that even if he is pushing for the impeachment trial to start, it does not necessarily mean that he wants a conviction for Duterte. He said the proceedings would give the Vice President a chance to clear her name. 

"Whether I am for it or not for it is irrelevant. The Senate is duty-bound to convene the impeachment court, according to our Constitution. Kumbaga ano namin 'yan, responsibilidad namin 'yan (That is our responsibility)," he said. 

"Itutuloy naman 'tong impeachment eh, whether we like it or not. As I've mentioned, we are duty-bound. Sana matapos agad, so whatever the decision is, whatever the verdict is, I hope we can go back to our normalcy as soon as possible," he added. 

(This impeachment will continue, whether we like it or not. As I've mentioned, we are duty-bound. But I hope it ends soon, so whatever the decision is, whatever the verdict is, I hope we can go back to our normalcy as soon as possible.) 

He also said it would be up to the 20th Congress to decide if the impeachment trial would push through, stressing that the plenary will always be supreme. 

Imee wants dismissal  

Meanwhile, Senator Imee Marcos expressed belief that the impeachment case should be dismissed, citing concerns on the timing and validity of the transmission of the Articles of Impeachment from the House of Representatives to the Senate. 

"Dapat i-dismiss na ito kaagad dahil unang-una, hindi na talaga kaya matapos bago 'yung 19th Congress, may sariling rules ang Senado. Pero ang totoo, I have very serious concerns about the validity of the impeachment complaint arriving here in the Senate," said Marcos, the elder sister of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

(This should be dismissed immediately because first of all, it really can't be finished before the 19th Congress ends as the Senate has its own rules. But the truth is, I have very serious concerns about the validity of the impeachment complaint arriving here in the Senate.) 

Marcos alleged that the House of Representatives "withheld" the complaints against the Vice President as these were filed in December 2024. However, she said the lower chamber only acted on it in February 2025. 

"Kung winithhold nila, aba'y sila pala ang nagpatagal nitong lahat (If they withheld the complaints, then they are the reason for the delay). Despite the lapse of two months, no action was taken to transmit to the Senate or refer any of the first three verified complaints," she said.

"Para sa akin, kinakailangan alamin kung tama rin ang ginawa ng Kongreso. Sinasabi nila dinelay ng Senado. Ang akin, teka muna, sino ba talaga ang nag-delay niyan at ngayon violative na of the one-year ban on filing impeachment?" she added. 

(For me, it's important to know if Congress did the right thing. They are saying the Senate delayed the process. But wait, who was the one who delayed their action and now it is violative of the one-year ban on the filing of impeachment complaints?)

Admin senators, too?

Marcos also believes that efforts to derail Duterte's impeachment case do not only come from the Vice President's allies in the Senate, but even those allied with the administration. 

"Tuwing may panukala, lahat talaga tulong-tulong. Ganu'n talaga 'yun at walang kinalaman sa partido, sa Duterte 5, sa kung sinu-sino. Talagang lahat ay interesado," she said. 

(Whenever there are proposals, everyone really helps one another. That's just the way it is and it has nothing to do with any party, with the Duterte 5, or anyone else. Everyone is really interested.) 

"Mismo ang admin, sa palagay ko, interesado na mawalang bisa na 'yan kasi kinakabahan din na matalo," she continued, adding that, "'Di ba mas mahirap, mas nakakahiya kapag nagkaroon ng paglilitis at matalo? Kaya siguro may iba, iniiwasan na rin."

(I think even those allied with the administration are interested in invalidating the case because they're afraid of losing... Isn't that more difficult and more embarrassing if a trial is held and they lose? Perhaps that's why some are avoiding this.) 

Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa admitted Wednesday that he was behind the draft Senate resolution seeking to drop Duterte's impeachment trial. 

Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives on February 5, with over 200 lawmakers endorsing the complaint against her. She was accused of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.

No dictates

Meanwhile, House members Rolando Valeriano of Manila and Geraldine Roman of Bataan said their votes on Duterte's impeachment were not dictated by Speaker Martin Romualdez.

This was in response to an earlier remark by Senate President Chiz Escudero, saying that House members appear to act based on what the Speaker says.

“Ang mga kongresista tila nasasanay na diktahan ang Senado kaugnay sa gusto nilang mangyari sa impeachment. Pwes kung trabaho ng ilang mambabatas na maging sunud-sunuran kay Speaker Romualdez na gusto klaro ang impeachment na ito, hindi naming trabaho ‘yan sa Senado. Hindi ko rin trabaho ‘yan bilang taga-pangulo ng Senado,” Escudero had said.

“Never,” said Valeriano when asked if the Speaker ever dictated to House members on what to do.

Valeriano was one of the lawmakers who called out the Vice President over her alleged inefficient use of budget, including confidential funds.

“Nagkikita lang po kami ni Speaker sa plenary. Never po kami nagkakausap ng personal,” he added.

Roman said Romualdez had made a statement that he was leaving the holding of the impeachment trial in the hands of the Senate.

“Malinaw ang sinabi ni Speaker Romualdez yesterday na antayin natin ang desisyon ng Senado kung anong dapat nilang gawin roon. Hindi kami dinidiktahan. I think, kung meron bang nagdidikta sa Senado, ito ang ating Saligang Batas,” Roman said.— With Llanesca Panti/VDV, GMA Integrated News