Vice President Sara Duterte (PPAB)

A member of the House prosecution team in the upcoming Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte has underscored that all impeachment trials, by their very nature, are considered urgent.

House Minority Leader 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan had this to say Sunday, March 23 amid the perceived delay in starting the impeachment trial against the second highest-ranked official of the land.

He says there are "several key reasons" why the situation is urgent.

“The first reason is to prevent further harm. If an official is abusing their power, breaking the law, or acting against the public interest, allowing them to remain in office could lead to greater damage,” Libanan stated.

“The second reason is to uphold the rule of law. Swift impeachment reinforces public accountability and ensures that no one is above the law,” he continued.

Libanan continued: “The third reason is to maintain public trust. Delays in impeachment proceedings can erode confidence in government institutions and create the perception that justice is not being served."

“The fourth reason is to preserve institutional integrity. If an official is unfit for office, their continued stay can weaken the legitimacy of the institution they serve,” he pointed out.

The fifth reason, according to Libanan, is to prevent interference in the process.

“The longer an impeachable official stays in power, the greater the risk of obstruction—whether through intimidation of witnesses, manipulation of the system, or other means to evade accountability,” he explained.

Finally, Libanan highlighted the importance of setting a precedent to deter future misconduct by high public officials.

"Taking swift action sends a strong message that wrongdoing will not be tolerated and will be met with decisive consequences," he asserted.

Libanan, a lawyer by profession, previously served as chairperson of the House Committee on Justice, which are tasked with handling impeachment complaints.

His statement follows Speaker Martin Romualdez’s reaffirmation of the House prosecution panel’s readiness for the impeachment trial of the Vice President.

“The House has fulfilled its duty by transmitting the Articles of Impeachment, and our prosecution panel stands ready to present the case as soon as the impeachment court is convened,” Romualdez said in a statement on March 19.

“We trust that the Senate will carry out its constitutional duty and proceed with the trial without unnecessary delays, in full adherence to the rule of law,” he added.

The House of Representatives transmitted the impeachment complaint to the Senate on Feb. 5. The trial is expected to begin in earnest in July.