Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday admitted that tackling simultaneous impeachment complaints against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte would not be ideal, but stressed that the Senate is prepared to act if both reach the chamber.
Hontiveros said she has yet to review the complaint against Marcos, but affirmed her readiness to fulfill her role should it be transmitted to the Senate.
“Kung umakyat yan dito sa Senate, handa akong gumanap ng tungkulin bilang senator-judge na i-consider ang anumang evidence na i-offer ng impeachment complaint na iyan at magdesisyon, bumoto, batay sa evidence na iyon,” she said during the Kapihan sa Senado forum.
She acknowledged that handling two impeachment trials at once would be difficult, but not impossible.
“Anything is possible. Kung parehong mag-prosper yung dalawang complaints sa House, then maging dalawa yung tungkulin namin dito or dalawang impeachment trials,” she noted.
Hontiveros emphasized that while concurrent proceedings would be challenging, they could strengthen governance if managed properly.
“Of course, hindi yan ideal situation, but ang prinsipyo din naman sa puso ng anumang impeachment complaint kung umabot dito sa Senate ay na nag-pass ng judgment ang House na language nila, yung sufficient informant substance na may humihingi talagang mamamayan ng accountability on the part of public officials,” she explained.
She underscored that accountability is central to good governance and directly impacts both domestic trust and international confidence in the Philippine economy.
“And nobody can quarrel with that principle of accountability of public officials. Kahit pang usapin ng stability or yung attractiveness ng economy, ay nakasalalay din sa perception unang-una nating mga Pilipino and then pati ng international community na may transparency and accountability that aspect of good governance sa loob ng bansa,” Hontiveros said.