Several members of the House of Representatives have expressed frustration and disappointment over the Senate leadership’s decision to postpone the scheduled reading of the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Originally set for June 2 (Monday), Senate President Chiz Escudero confirmed that the reading will now take place on June 11 (Wednesday), drawing criticism from lawmakers who felt blindsided by the change.
La Union Representative Paolo Ortega likened the Senate’s move to being stood up on a date.
“Siguro ‘yong delay at saka ‘yong kaunting disappointment eh normal naman ‘yon. Kumabaga, parang may ka-date ka lang eh pero biglang hindi ka sinipot tapos (sabi) ‘pwede bang after one week na lang tayo lumabas, parang gano’n eh, ‘di ba? Naka-ready ka na, naka-bihis ka na, tapos di pala tuloy ‘yong date mo. Parang gano’n ‘yong feeling,” Ortega said.
Incoming Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Representative Leila de Lima, who is set to be part of the House prosecution panel, believes the delay is a strategic move to quietly bury the impeachment case.
“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,” De Lima stated.
“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. I can only foresee na on that last day, sasabihin na lang nila na hindi na puwede,” she added.
Despite the growing skepticism, Senator Jinggoy Estrada assured the public that the Senate will not abandon its constitutional responsibility.
“We are not going to abandon our constitutional duty to hear the impeachment case against the Vice President,” Estrada emphasized.
Political analysts note that the outcome of the 2025 midterm elections may have tilted the scales in Duterte’s favor.
With the re-election of Senators Bong Go and Bato dela Rosa and the addition of Duterte ally Senator-elect Rodante Marcoleta, her support bloc in the Senate appears to be strengthening—potentially influencing the course of the upcoming impeachment trial.