The upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte will serve as the ultimate test for the Senate, far overshadowing the recent leadership shakeup that saw Senate President Win Gatchalian take over the chamber’s presidency, according to former Senate President Franklin Drilon.
In an interview on Thursday, June 18, Drilon stressed that the upper house must ensure a seamless and transparent process, drawing direct parallels to the country’s turbulent political history, specifically the downfall of former President Joseph Estrada.
He warned that any effort to suppress evidence or compromise the proceedings could spark severe political instability.
“To me, the greatest risk is the failure of the impeachment process, and I base that assessment on political history,” Drilon said in an interview on Thursday, June 18.
The former Justice secretary recalled how mass public anger erupted when senators during Estrada’s trial famously voted against opening the “second envelope,” an action the public saw as an attempt to hide evidence. This decision ultimately triggered the EDSA II revolution.
“That prompted an instability which resulted in the change of government. That is what we have to look out for. That is what our senators should be conscious about,” he said.
Drilon added that modern technology and social media have made it much more difficult for politicians to control public narratives compared to twenty years ago, warning that citizens today will not tolerate a lack of transparency.
”The people would not stand for hiding the truth. In an impeachment trial, the public would like to know the truth, and attempts to hide the truth will not be accepted by our people,” said Drilon.
“That is why we should be careful, because in my opinion, when the people will notice that there is an attempt to hide the truth, especially for personal and political ends, I cannot predict what the people will do,” he said.
Drawing from his experience participating in two historical impeachment trials during his 24-year legislative career, Drilon advised the current Senate against appointing a dedicated impeachment manager.
He argued that it might compromise the chamber’s perception of neutrality, suggesting instead that Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. handle the administrative logistics.
“Because you are supposed to be a collegial body that is impartial. And while an impeachment manager can indeed be impartial, the projection could be different,” he warned Drilon said.
“We have a clerk of the impeachment court, Senate Secretary Renato Bantug, who is very experienced and very impartial, and will be able to run the administrative needs of the impeachment court,” he said.
While Drilon extended his congratulations to the newly elected Senate President Gatchalian, he concluded with a sober reminder that the leadership change will not end internal legislative conflicts, as factions brace for both the trial and the 2028 elections.
“The bickering will not stop. Let us not kid ourselves. There will be a continuous struggle for the Senate presidency because of the impeachment and the 2028 election,” he said.