Senate President Win Gatchalian stated on Thursday that he does not anticipate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. addressing Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment during his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), highlighting that the ongoing proceedings fall strictly under the jurisdiction of the Senate.
Gatchalian underscored that because the trial remains active, it should stay separate from the President’s annual speech before the joint session of Congress.
“Well, ang impeachment is purely the function of the Senate so hindi ko ineexpect na pag-uusapan ni Presidente yan sa kanyang SONA kasi constitutional responsibility yan ng Senado. At ongoing naman siya,” he told reporters.
Rather than political drama, the Senate leader expressed hope that Marcos would use the platform to outline structural fixes aimed at averting a recurrence of the flood control irregularities exposed in 2025.
“Hindi lang yung making people accountable kundi ano ba yung mga repormang ginawa ng DPWH? Ano ba ang ginawa ng ibang ahensya para hindi na mauulit yung ganitong flood control issue?” he said, referring to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
While Congress has already incorporated tighter oversight mechanisms and anti-corruption safeguards into the 2026 national budget, Gatchalian stressed that rigorous execution by executive agencies will be critical to achieving meaningful reform.