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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Bato moves to dismiss VP Duterte's impeachment raps

Bato moves to dismiss VP Duterte's impeachment raps

Padilla shouts "Allahu Akbar" in dramatic turn on Senate floor

Published Jun 10, 2025 06:16 pm
In a dramatic turnaround, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Tuesday made a motion seeking the dismissal of the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, just one day after agreeing to take his oath as a senator-judge for the impending trial.
Dela Rosa moved for the dismissal of the verified complaint, citing what he described as “constitutional infirmities” and legal uncertainties regarding the authority of the 20th Congress to proceed with the impeachment case.
“In view of its constitutional infirmities and the serious questions regarding the jurisdiction and authority of the 20th Congress, I move that this impeachment complaint be dismissed,” Dela Rosa said in plenary.
The move caught some by surprise, as it was barely a day after the Senate reached a consensus to convene as an impeachment court and begin the process of swearing in its members, Dela Rosa included.
The surprise motion was immediately followed by an emotional outburst from Senator Robinhood Padilla, who shouted “Allahu Akbar!” across the chamber, most likely as a fervent show of support.
Padilla had earlier filed a resolution seeking to declare the complaint "terminated".
He also earlier made the statement that he was pro-Duterte, stating that: "Kahit sunugin mo 'ko dito, mangangamoy Rodrigo Roa Duterte ako (Even if you burn me, I will still reek of Rodrigo Roa Duterte)."
The development marked a stunning surprise for Dela Rosa, who was among the senators present on Monday, June 9, agreeing to take their oath as part of the impeachment court, a move signaling readiness to perform their constitutional role as senator-judges.
The impeachment complaint against Vice President Duterte, filed by the House of Representatives in the final days of session in February, has sparked varying opinions among lawmakers. Some senators argue that it’s too late in the calendar to meaningfully begin the trial, while others stress that allowing the process to unfold is essential to upholding constitutional checks and balances.
Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero ruled that the Senate must convene as an impeachment court before deciding on Dela Rosa's motion. As of writing the senators are preparing to swear in as senator-judges.

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impeachment complaint impeachment trial VP Sara Duterte Bato Dela Rosa
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