Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto has expressed doubt over Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada’s claim that a majority of senators will back a resolution supporting the Supreme Court’s ruling declaring the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte “unconstitutional.”
In a recent interview, Estrada said he expects 19 to 20 senators to vote in favor of the resolution, basing his projection on the perceived positions of his colleagues in the chamber.
“Karamihan ng sentimyento ng mga kapwa-Senador ko is to abide by the ruling of the Supreme Court,” Estrada stated.
However, Sotto dismissed this as merely Estrada’s personal opinion.
“Perhaps that’s his opinion because most of us have not heard the flaws and questionable points in the SC decision. Let’s wait and see,” Sotto said.
He urged lawmakers to refrain from making definitive statements before the Senate’s scheduled plenary discussion on August 6, when the chamber will decide whether to proceed with Duterte’s impeachment trial or abide by the Supreme Court ruling.
Sotto confirmed he is among the signatories of Senator Kiko Pangilinan’s draft resolution urging the Senate to convene as an impeachment court. Other signatories include Pangilinan, Senator Bam Aquino, and Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros.