Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada believes the Senate will no longer proceed with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
In an interview, Estrada said that 19 to 20 senators have already expressed support for the Supreme Court’s ruling declaring the Articles of Impeachment filed by the House of Representatives against the Vice President as “unconstitutional.”
“Sabihin nating to abide by the ruling, mga 19 to 20,” Estrada stated.
He added that it would reflect poorly on the Senate if it refuses to comply with the Supreme Court’s order.
“Kami mga mambabatas, gumagawa ng batas tapos di susunod sa batas? That’s awkward. Kung kami mga mambabatas, ayaw namin sundan ang Korte Suprema ano pa kaya ang iba, yung mga ordinaryong tao na may kaso na adverse sa kanila, hindi na rin nila susundin? Eh magkakagulo ang gobyerno,” Estrada said.
The Senate leader stressed that he is confident there will be no trial for Duterte in the upper chamber.
“No more (trial). Dahil unconstitutional na nga yung finile ng House of Representatives. So we do not have any jurisdiction anymore. And the Senate will not convene as an impeachment court because we don’t have any jurisdiction anymore,” he emphasized.
This comes after Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros revealed that four senators have signed a draft resolution urging the Senate to proceed with the impeachment trial and convene as an impeachment court.
According to Hontiveros, the four senators are herself, Senator Bam Aquino, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, and Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto — all of whom ran against Duterte in the 2022 vice-presidential race.