Two houses of Congress, two drama-filled scenarios.

Last Monday, May 11, Filipinos witnessed another change of leadership in the Senate, just as the House of Representatives members cast their votes on another resolution to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte.

Senator Allan Peter Cayetano assembled a 13-vote majority bloc, an event that prompted Senator Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto to relinquish the Senate presidency to the leader of a new coalition, many of whose members are known to be supportive of the Vice President, and, by inference, averse to her conviction.

Pundits, both amateur and seasoned, are weighing in through social media vlogs and posts. Tech-savvy netizens are quick to design online posters with catch phrases aimed at stirring emotions that would galvanize support for their cause and animosity toward their adversaries.

Such is the high drama of Philippine democracy in the digital age, At the turn of the century, EDSA was the venue for airing, demonstrating and rallying support for game-changing transitions. Today, the mobile phone enables real-time updates on the dynamics of major political transitions that are consumed by the public in real time.

The impeachment vote was carried by an overwhelming total of 257 Yes votes, dwarfing the 25 No votes and 9 abstentions. In February 2025, the impeachment resolution reaped 215 Yes votes. Clearly, there is a substantial increase in the number of impeachment proponents. The difference could be explained by the quantum of evidence gathered and the different context.

Recall the high drama in the Senate last year after the senators donned their robes and took their oath of office — only to scuttle their own initiative by voting to archive it instead of commencing trial. The Supreme Court eventually upheld the Senate’s action, singling out substantial lapses in procedure which the House Justice Committee dutifully avoided in steering the impeachment resolution to a significantly higher level of approbation.

I hold no magic crystal and am unable to offer fearless forecasts of the likely outcome of the impeachment trial. This piece is being written at a time of great uncertainty. The Senate has yet to commence discussions; the new leadership has not even formally acknowledged receipt of the impeachment resolution.

Be that as it may, I venture to point out that, after the series of Trillion Peso People’s Marches held earlier this year, it is unthinkable that there would be no similar outcry from the politicized sectors that are weary of the bankruptcy of “trapo” politics. Woe to politicians who would underestimate the wrath of Juan and Juana de la Cruz that could still be in the shadows, waiting only to be ignited by the spark of rightful indignation.

One school of thought advances the view that there will be no conviction; they say it’s virtually impossible that 16 out of 24 senators would vote to convict the Vice President. But wait, shouldn’t we, the people, withhold judgment and let the evidence guide the flow of sentiment and reason toward a judicious verdict?

Recall that at the start of the Corona impeachment trial, it was difficult to imagine that conviction would be secured. Yet, in the end, there were only three senators who voted to acquit him: Joker Arroyo, Miriam Defensor Santiago and Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr.

The impeachment trial of then President Joseph Estrada ended abruptly on January 16, 2001, when senator-judges allied with Estrada voted 11-10 to block the opening of a crucial "second envelope" believed to contain evidence of a secret ₱3.3 billion bank account, sparking the Second EDSA Revolution (EDSA Dos).

Uncannily, there is a similarity in that unlikely scenario with the current day exercise. One of the grounds for the Vice President’s impeachment are alleged highly irregular accounts that have been tracked by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) as having been maintained in her name, or jointly with her spouse, or father, or brothers, on a continuing basis, dating back to Rodrigo Duterte’s mayorship in Davao City before he became President.

Even grizzled veterans of street protests dating back to the street rallies during Dekada 70 are not jumping up and down at the prospect of a return-to-EDSA scenario. They are hoping that just as then Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile did as presiding officer in the Corona impeachment, his present-day successor Allan Peter Cayetano will summon sufficient reserves of statesmanlike leadership to bring about a similarly desirable conclusion.

And yes, the prospect of yet another EDSA-like uprising could nit be entirely disregarded.

As a footnote, we commend Senator Tito Sotto for his exemplary demeanor as the outgoing Senate President. He is the first person in Philippine history to be elected for five non-consecutive terms as a Senator (1992–2004, 2010–2022, and starting 2025). Sotto first led the chamber from 2018 to 2022, notably handling crucial legislation during the Covid-19 pandemic, and returned to the position in September 2025.

He is recognized for a calm and "no-nonsense" approach, focusing on maintaining the independence of the Senate. He has placed emphasis on tackling corruption, ensuring efficient budget utilization, and overseeing the implementation of existing laws.

More than high drama and loud sound bites, the Filipino people would be better served if the impeachment trial is carried out in a fair and transparent manner that ultimately upholds the majesty of the Constitution and reflects the people’s sovereign will.

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