VP impeachment trial should proceeda nd exact justice

June 3, 2025

We, the undersigned impeachment complainants, sectoral leaders, former lawmakers and concerned citizens, express great alarm over recent delays in the impeachment proceedings of Vice President Sara Duterte. We are outraged by persistent talks or insinuations that the impeachment trial will not proceed because of so-called jurisdictional issues.

After being transmitted to the Senate last February 5, 2025, the impeachment trial has been effectively delayed for about 4 months now and risks further delay and legal uncertainties given the latest schedule which will see the convening of the impeachment court on June 11, the last session day of the 19th congress. The delays go against the Constitutional provision that the Senate trial shall commence “forthwith”.

It has become increasingly clear that President Marcos Jr himself continues to be the main stumbling block to the impeachment trial as he has consistently expressed his opposition to the proceedings and showed disinterest in addressing systemic corruption in government. His statement about his willingness to reconcile with the Dutertes also threatens efforts at achieving accountability.

It would be a great disservice to the nation if the impeachment trial will not proceed as mandated under the Constitution, despite the overwhelming evidence presented against the Vice President. In a time when a massive disinformation campaign is underway to undermine the impeachment proceedings, the President has shown weakness and opposition to achieving accountability in the corruption-prone system of confidential funds.

We thus call on the Senate to fulfill its constitutional mandate to convene the impeachment court and assert its jurisdiction over the case, and thwart all efforts to scuttle the proceedings based on legal technicalities. The time for accountability over large-scale corruption is now. Further delays and the termination of the proceedings will be nothing but a win for impunity.

We call on the people to remain vigilant and act against any effort to terminate the historic impeachment proceedings, the first for a sitting Vice President. The Filipino people, not the Dutertes, are the real victims of political maneuverings and unchecked corruption in government. Corruption along with high prices, lack of decent jobs, and grossly inadequate social services are among the issues that this government has so far neglected. Let us not allow this historic opportunity to hold high officials to account to simply pass. Let us be active participants in the trial, because we the people are the ultimate stakeholders in the impeachment proceedings.

(Original statement was posted in the Taumbayan Ayaw sa Magnanakaw at Abusado Network Alliance/TAMA NA page yesterday. If you support the statement, please consider signing and disseminating this online petition. See www.facebook.com/ayawsamagnanakawatabusado for updates)