Robin, Imee, Cynthia skip wearing robes as Senate convenes as impeachment court

Senators Robin Padilla, Imee Marcos, and Cynthia Villar did not wear their robes as the Senate convened as an impeachment court on Tuesday to decide whether or not to remove Vice President Sara Duterte from office.

“I make this oath...without prejudice to the resolution or jurisdictional issues as well as issues pertaining to the validity of the impeachment complaint or to the filing thereof, if any,” Marcos said before the senators took their oath.

“Gusto ko rin malagay sa talaan na ako po ay... merong reserbasyon (I also want to put on record that I have reservations about the impeachment trial),” Padilla said.

The senators took their oath past 6 p.m., about two hours after the agreed time of 4 p.m.

Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa earlier moved to dismiss the impeachment complaint against Duterte.

However, Senate President Francis Escudero ruled that the impeachment court should be convened before acting on any motion to dismiss the impeachment complaint.

Dela Rosa reiterated his motion after the Senate convened as an impeachment court, which Senator Bong Go seconded. —VBL, GMA Integrated News