The upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte will test not only the allegations against her but also the impartiality of the Senate itself, a youth sector lawmaker warned over the weekend.
Kabataan Party-list Representative Renee Co, a spokesperson for the House prosecution panel, emphasized that the public will closely monitor whether senator-judges can cast aside personal biases once the high-stakes proceedings begin.
“The rules of the Senate provide that the senator-judges must maintain political neutrality at all times as the trial goes on. So now, we have different senators who are already on record putting their sides,” Co said in an interview.
Co stressed that the trial serves a dual purpose: determining Duterte’s accountability and demonstrating the Senate’s capacity to uphold constitutional mandates without political favor.
“And if not, ang magiging on trial din is yung kayahan ng Senado na panghawakan ‘yung constitutional duty nila to sit as an impeachment court—to maintain political neutrality as provided by the rules, and to provide due process—the entire gamut of it from start to finish,” she added.
And if not, what will also be on trial is the ability of the Senate to hold onto their constitutional duty to sit as an impeachment court—to maintain political neutrality as provided by the rules, and to provide due process—the entire gamut of it from start to finish.
The 24-member upper chamber officially transformed into an impeachment court on May 18, with senators swearing an oath to deliver “impartial justice.” However, skepticism remains high as several lawmakers allied with the Duterte family had previously questioned the House Committee on Justice’s findings or openly vowed to derail the process.
Following its formal convening, the Senate issued a writ of summons ordering the Vice President to respond to the articles of impeachment. The Office of the Vice President (OVP) confirmed receipt of the summons on May 20, starting the 10-day countdown for her official response.
Once Duterte submits her answer, the House prosecutors will have five days to file a reply before the Senate finalizes the timeline for the pre-trial and formal hearings. Senate rules dictate that the trial will move forward even if the Vice President chooses not to submit a formal defense.
Convicting Duterte requires a two-thirds majority, or at least 16 senatorial votes. A conviction would immediately remove her from office and permanently disqualify her from holding public office.
Despite the prevailing political divisions, Co expressed hope that evidence, rather than political survival, will guide the final verdicts.
“And whether some senators have loyalties or political interests at play, the continuing hope of the youth is that all those are not the controlling reasons why one decides one way or another,” Co said.