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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Senate violating Constitution with VP Sara's impeachment trial delay—Gutierrez

Senate violating Constitution with VP Sara's impeachment trial delay—Gutierrez

Published Jun 2, 2025 03:55 pm
The Senate may be violating the Constitution if it continues to delay the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, former Office of the Vice President (OVP) spokesman Barry Gutierrez said on Monday, June 2.

Also a former lawmaker and lawyer, Gutierrez reacted to Senate President Francis Escudero’s decision to move the start of the impeachment proceedings from June 2 to June 11.

(From left) Senate President Chiz Escudero and former vice presidential spokesman Barry Gutierrez (Senate, OVP photos)


“The Constitution mandates that after the House passes the Articles of Impeachment, the Senate shall forthwith proceed with the trial,” he said. “Hindi po ito isang suggestion, ito ay constitutional obligation (This is not a suggestion, but a constitutional obligation).”

His remarks came after a recent SWS survey showed that 88 percent of the respondents wanted Duterte to face the impeachment case. Even the Vice President himself said that she wants the trial to proceed as it is a chance to clear her name.

“Kung si Vice President Sara na ang nagsabi na she welcomes the trial at ready na daw siya to face the accusations (If Vice President Sara herself has said that she welcomes the trial and she is ready to face the accusations), so what is the Senate waiting for?,” Gutierrez asked.

“When the Constitution, the people, and the Vice President herself all say the trial must happen, the Senate has no right to stall or derail the process,” he added.

“If these reports are true, this is a flagrant violation of the Constitution. Hindi ‘optional’ sa Senado ang impeachment trial. Harapang lokohan na ito kung ito nga ang plano (The impeachment trial is not optional for the Senate. If that is the plan then that’s blatant deception).”

The former spokesperson of ex-vice president and now Naga City Mayor-elect Leni Robredo was also reacting to a news report that Escudero is deliberately delaying and derailing the impeachment trial to allegedly secure the backing of the Duterte bloc in the Senate to maintain his grip in the Senate leadership.

Gutierrez reminded the Senate that the institution is not above the Constitution and that such move can damage the public trust in the upper chamber.

“Delaying justice is denying justice. And in this case, it would be a betrayal of the people’s right to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law,” he said.

Related Tags

impeachment trial Sara Duterte Chiz Escudero Barry Gutierrez Constitution
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