Heated debates or not? Senators ready decision on VP Sara impeachment

Senators are now gearing up for proceedings on Wednesday when the upper chamber decides on how it would proceed with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, following the Supreme Court (SC) ruling declaring the Articles of Impeachment unconstitutional. 

In an ambush interview, Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa said that should there be a motion in the plenary on Wednesday, August 6, to dismiss the Vice President's impeachment case, the so-called Duterte bloc will "most likely" vote in favor of it. 

However, he clarified that the Duterte bloc has not discussed anything on the matter. 

Dela Rosa also said he believes that there's no need for debates among senators, stressing that the SC decision is immediately executory even as the House of Representatives already filed a motion for reconsideration. 

"In the first place nga para sa akin, there's no need for debates. Bakit pagdebatehan 'yan nagsalita na ang Supreme Court eh. Nagdesisyon na ang Supreme Court, bakit mag-debate pa tayo? Hindi ako lawyer…pero naniwala ako that nobody is supreme and above the Supreme Court, except God," he said. 

(In the first place, I believe that there's no need for debates. Why should we still debate on that when the Supreme Court has already spoken? I'm not a lawyer... but I believe that nobody is supreme and above the Supreme Court, except God.) 

"Tignan natin kung ano magsipaglabasan bukas. Ayaw kong magsalita ng tapos. Pero kung tanungin niyo ako, I am very much inclined to support and obey the decision of the Supreme Court. No questions asked," he added.

(Let's see what comes out tomorrow. I don't want to preempt anything, but if you ask me, I am very much inclined to support and obey the decision of the Supreme Court. No questions asked.) 

Dela Rosa said he was still willing to listen to the arguments of his fellow senators, particularly the four who signed a draft resolution on how the Senate can proceed with Duterte's impeachment trial after the SC ruling.

"Four versus 20? Maging mainit ba 'yan (Will the debates be heated)? I don't know," he said. 

Long debates

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Vicente "Tito" Sotto III said he expects that the debates tomorrow will be long. 

"Yes, I've read it. I'm ready for tomorrow," Sotto said, referring to the 97-page Supreme Court decision. 

For his part, Senator Erwin Tulfo said his desire for the impeachment trial to continue still stands, emphasizing that he wants the public to see the evidence on the Articles of Impeachment. 

"This was before when the Supreme Court made the decision [declaring the articles] unconstitutional. Hanggang ngayon, that is my stand. Gusto ko sanang makita. Pero may limitations na ngayon, 'di ba? So, mayroong sinasabing unconstitutional. So, 'yun ang pinag-aralan ko these past few days and I will be basing my decision diyan sa lumalabas ngayon," Tulfo said in a separate interview.

(This was before when the Supreme Court made the decision that the articles are unconstitutional. Until now, that is my stand. I would like to see the evidence. But there are limitations now, right? It was declared unconstitutional. So, that's what I am studying these past few days and I will be basing my decision on what will come out.)

He also said he was expecting "heated" debates tomorrow between senators in favor of dismissing the case, and those who want the trial to continue. 

Voting 13-0-2, the SC earlier declared the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte unconstitutional, stressing that these are barred by the one-year rule under the Constitution and that these violate her right to due process.

The high court said the Senate cannot acquire jurisdiction over the impeachment proceedings.

However, the SC said it is not absolving Duterte from any of the charges against her, and that any subsequent impeachment complaint may be filed starting February 6, 2026.

The House of Representatives on Monday asked the SC to reverse its decision, saying it should be allowed to perform its exclusive duty to prosecute an impeachable official, and the Senate permitted to exercise its power to try the case. — VDV, GMA Integrated News