Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano confirmed on Thursday that the upper chamber is prepared to move forward with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, dismissing rumors that the recent leadership shakeup was a tactic to shield her.
Following a meeting with the 13-member majority bloc—which includes several senators traditionally aligned with the Duterte family—Cayetano stated that there is a unanimous consensus to proceed with the constitutional process.
“I can tell you kung ano napag-usapan and everyone said … we should have the trial … and wala isa man nagsabing hindi mag-trial.”
The Senate chief emphasized that even with the formation of a new majority faction, no member expressed a desire to obstruct the proceedings.
“Sa 13, walang nagsabing ayaw mag-trial.”
The majority bloc under Cayetano’s leadership includes Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, as well as Senators Pia Cayetano, Bato dela Rosa, Francis Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Go, Rodante Marcoleta, Imee Marcos, Robin Padilla, Joel Villanueva, and Mark and Camille Villar.
Cayetano further revealed that the Senate has officially received the articles of impeachment from the House of Representatives. This follows a decisive Monday vote where the House impeached the Vice President for a second consecutive year with a 257-25 result.
The Senate is now scheduled to formally convene as an impeachment court on May 18 at 3 p.m.